MUSICAL THEATRE UNIVERSITY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Is Musical Theatre University (MTU)?
David Green’s Musical Theatre University is an after-school, intensive and comprehensive Conservatory training ground in the performing arts designed for young people, grades 8-12, from throughout the Coachella Valley who have aspirations for careers in professional theatre.
How Do I Participate?
Any young person, grades 8-12, from any public or private school in the Coachella Valley (and neighboring communities) is eligible to participate in the MTU program. Participants are selected through an audition process.
How Much Does The MTU Program Cost?.
The MTU program is provided to participants free of charge.
Do I Have To Attend Rancho Mirage High School To Participate?
No. Participants may attend the public or private middle or high school of their choice and attend MTU after school. However, priority for acceptance is given to students who attend Rancho Mirage High School. Students who are selected into MTU from anywhere in The Coachella Valley may transfer to Rancho Mirage High School as their academic school, as space allows.
Do I Have To Attend A School In The PSUSD To Participate?
No. Students from all school districts within the Coachella Valley are invited to audition for the MTU program and, if accepted, may attend the school of their choice in any school district. However, priority for acceptance will always be given to students from the PSUSD and a minimum of sixty percent of the students will always come form the PSUSD.
What Are The Audition Requirements?
All interested students must go through an audition to be accepted into MTU to gauge whether this is the right program for the student, and vice versa. There are multiple audition dates throughout the summer and spots are filled at every audition, so it is best to schedule an audition as soon as the student in prepared to insure that spots are still available.
If a student is interested in The Musical Theatre Major they must prepare:
One vocal selection: Approx. 32 bars, preferably from a Broadway Show, uptempo or ballad – student must provide sheet music for an accompanist at the audition or bring their own accompaniment CD.
One monolgue: Dramatic of comedic, no more than 1 ½ minutes in length, memorized, from a published source (no original monologues), age appropriate.
If a student is interested in The Dance Major they must prepare:
A short dance combination that shows off their technique and dance abilities – can be any form of dance (ballet, jazz, tap) – student must provide accompaniment on a CD.
Students will be taught multiple combinations in various styles at the audition.
What Is MTU Looking For At The Audition?
Potential and passion. MTU is an educational program so we are not looking for “seasoned professionals”, rather we are looking for young people who have a certain level of talent and are willing to work hard and grow in the program. Once accepted, students are placed in levels based on their level of experience.
When And Where Does MTU Meet?
MTU meets four afternoons a week, Tuesday through Friday, from 3:30-6:00 pm at Rancho Mirage High School. Because students may be involved in other activities at their academic school, one day per week is optional for attendance in the MTU program – but it is expected that MTU is the student’s top priority and attendance three days per week is mandatory.
Is Transportation Available To Rancho Mirage High School For MTU?
No. Participants must provide their own transportation. However, participants come from every city in the Coachella Valley and many MTU students carpool with other families.
What Are The Areas Of Instruction At MTU?
Currently MTU has two “Majors” – Musical Theatre (Acting, Singing and Dance), and Dance (Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Modern). All MTU students, regardless of department, are eligible to participate In all special master Classes and performance opportunities,
Who Are The Faculty Members?
The faculty is primarily made up of current or past professional actors, directors, choreographers and vocalists from Broadway and Hollywood. Instructors are required to have a masters degree or equivalent professional experience. The core faculty is supplemented by guest-artist “master teachers” from the professional industry.
Are There Performance Opportunities?
MTU produces four Main-Stage musicals each year in the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at RMHS under the banner of “Desert Cities Music Theatre (DCMT)”. Students are joined by celebrated actors from Broadway and Hollywood along with local professional actors for these productions to provide a professional theatrical experience for participants. In addition, all MTU students participate in informal recitals and performance opportunities throughout the year, including the program’s song and dance troupe, THE KIDS NEXT DOOR.
Who is David Green?
David Green is the Founder and Director of Musical Theatre University. For the past twenty years he has trained young people for careers in professional theatre and his alumni include Tony Nominees Susan Egan (Beauty And The Beast), Matthew Morrison (Light In the Piazza and TV’s GLEE) and Stephanie Block (Wicked and Edwin Drood), and Broadway and TV/Film actors Krysta Rodriguez (SMASH and Addams Family), Anneliese vanDerPol (TV’s That’s So Raven and Beauty And The Beast), Columbus Short (TVs SCANDAL and Film Stomp The Yard) and Lindsay Mendez (Wicked and Dogfight), to name a few. Mr. Green has staged and directed over 175 productions for professional and educational theatre.
AUDITION SCHEDULE 2014
Musical Theatre
Monday, June 16 3:00 pm
Monday, June 30 3:00 pm
Monday, July 14 3:00 pm
Monday, July 28 3:00 pm
Monday, August 11 3:00 pm
Dance
Tuesday, June 17 3:00 pm
Tuesday, July 15 3:00 pm
Tuesday, July 12 3:00 pm
Auditions are held at Rancho Mirage High School.
For an audition appointment, student should email David Green directly at: