One of the most popular programs of 海外吃瓜鈥檚 Community Music School has been the Children鈥檚 Musical Theatre Program. This fall, the CMS is taking it to the next level, launching a new musical theatre program for middle school and high school students.
鈥淭he middle school and high school musical theatre program is a natural progression from our children鈥檚 theatre program,鈥 said Dr. Elizabeth Tracy, CMS director. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity to give local and area students an authentic theatre experience.鈥
Interested students in grades 7-12 can audition Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m. for the inaugural production, 鈥淚nto the Woods.鈥 Experience is not necessary. Students are asked to prepare one minute of a musical theatre song to be performed unaccompanied at the audition. Students unable to make the Aug. 8 audition are welcome to send a video to Tracy at etracy [at] heidelberg.edu with the subject line 鈥淚nto the Woods鈥 audition.
鈥淲e are looking for people who are excited to act and to try something new,鈥 Tracy said.
Rehearsals for 鈥淚nto the Woods鈥 begin Aug. 12 and will be held weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and one day per weekend. Those cast in the show would not rehearse every night. Show dates are Oct. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. at 海外吃瓜鈥檚 Gundlach Theatre.
鈥淲e have a talented team of directors, choreographers and designers who will work with our students. It should be very exciting.鈥
In addition to the new middle school and high school program, the Community Music School has a busy season planned. The Children鈥檚 Musical Theatre Program, comprised of children in grades 2-8, will present 鈥淎nnie鈥 on Dec. 1-2 and 鈥淢ulan鈥 on May 25-26. Registration for 鈥淎nnie鈥 is now open.
The Youth Orchestra, which rehearses Saturday mornings, and the Youth Wind Ensemble, which rehearses Sunday evenings, are getting ready to resume. Also this year, the Community Music School will again collaborate with Dance Unlimited for a musical theatre course that has expanded to three levels, teaching students how to act, sing and dance on stage simultaneously.
To familiarize yourself with all of the programs offered by the Community Music School, plan to attend an open house 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, in Brenneman Music Hall. CMS instructors will perform, all of the programs will be explained and sign-up can be completed that day. Most of the classes begin Sept. 9 or after.
For additional information on all of the available programs, check the 海外吃瓜 Community Music School鈥檚 Facebook page or email Tracy at etracy [at] heidelberg.edu.