FAQs for Current Students

 

What is the process to fulfill Theatre Practicum credits?

  • Click to see syllabus for Theatre Practicum TH 101, 201, 301
  • All students except BFA Design and Production complete 3 assignments.
  • The Practicum Preference/Conflict sheet is e-mailed to eligible students the week after main stage auditions, and is returned to the Production Manager who will assign all positions for the semester.
  • Practicum is a credit bearing course.  Failure to complete your assignment will result in a failing grade and retaking the course.
  • You will not graduate if you do not complete 3 semesters of practicum.

Do Acting BFA Majors need to sing and do the dance call at Unified Auditions?

  • All Freshmen and Sophomore BFA Performance majors (Musical Theatre and Acting) are required to sing and dance at the Unified Auditions.
  • Junior and Senior Acting BFA majors may petition out of the singing and dancing portions of the Unified Auditions. The deadline for petitions is during the semester prior to the audition and is announced to students via email with ample time to prepare your petition.  Petitions may be sent by e-mail to the Performance Degree Program Coordinator (Angie Miller).

What is Theatre Lab?

  • Theatre Lab credits are earned by working on mainstage productions in a number of capacities including designers, stage managers, technicians, and performers

How do I get credit for Theatre Labs?

  • Students are registered for Theatre Lab: Mainstage by the directors of each individual production. Theatre Lab is a credit bearing course for which students earn 1 credit. Students must have space in their credit load in order to avoid overload fees.  
  • Review the Theatre Lab: MainStage syllabus for more details.

Where do Theatre Lab Credits fit into degree programs?

  •  For performance majors, Theatre Lab: Musical (TH314) and Theatre Lab: Main Stage (TH315) count as Theatre Electives.
  •  For Stage Management Majors, Theatre Lab credits are required (TH115 and TH315)
  •  For Design and Production Majors, Theatre Lab credits are required (TH115, TH215, TH315, TH415)

How can I take theatre classes outside of my major's requirements?

  • Students may sign up if there is space available in the class, if the student has fulfilled the necessary prerequisites, and with permission of the instructor. For Example: BA students may take Movement for Actors with the above stipulations. Faculty are not obligated to permit non-majors into degree-specific courses.

How do I change my academic advisor?

  • Talk to your current advisor and then talk to the faculty member you wish to have for your advisor. When you have approval from both faculty members, come to the office to make the written request through the school Administrative Assistant. The change must be approved by the School Director.

How do I change my voice teacher?

Communication is key. Changing studios begins with discussing your concerns with your current voice teacher FIRST, to see if there are ways of resolving any issues you are having with your lessons. If discussions with your teacher do not resolve the issues, your voice teacher will then alert the head of the voice faculty (Troy Castle), who will then begin the process of reassigning you to a new studio. This process may not take place mid-semester. If you feel a change of studio is essential, you must begin the process early in the semester or as a semester is concluding so you can move to a new teacher at the top of the following semester. Mid-semester changes are not possible due to grading issues.

What kinds of Dance shoes are recommended and where can I get them?

Like any line of work that requires professional equipment, dancers need quality shoes. It's fine to go cheap on ballet shoes (provided you stick with known brands such as Bloch, Capezio or Sansha). There are many styles of jazz shoes. Split sole jazz shoes are very popular, some have rubber soles some have suede. The materials from which the soles are made are a personal preference. Ultimately dancers want to have shoes appropriate for any dance floor (some are slick, and some are not). Traction is important to help prevent injuries. Again, brands such as Capezio, Bloch and Sansha are reliable. When it comes to character shoes, however, you should consider investing in a good pair of shoes. Below are some websites and some recommendations for shoes known to be of good quality. Keep in mind that many of these styles of shoes may be purchased online from several places (Amazon, 6pm, Zappos, or from the manufacturer websites), so shop around for the best price! Buying the least expensive shoe is not typically recommended. In dance shoes, you absolutely get what you pay for.

Tap shoes for female identifying dancers (heel height should be 2")

Character shoes for female identifying dancers (heel height should be a minimum of 2.5")

  • Capezio: Manhattan, Charlotte, Chorus, Heel Flex
  • Bloch: Splitpro, Broadway Hi, Splitflex, Chord T-Bar Strap, Cabaret 
  • Sansha: Rhine
  • ​Miller and Ben: La Coquette
  • La Duca:
    • The Roxie and Angelique styles have hard soles are are suitable for all dancers comfortable in heels.
    • The Alexis, Elizabeth, Teresa, Leanne, and Rachelle styles are soft sole shoes designed for advanced dancers with very strong feet and ankles. These shoes lend very little arch support and are not safe for dancers who are new to dancing in heels.

Tap shoes for male identifying dancers

  • Capezio: Classic Tap (K543), Premier (CGO9), K360 (typically come without taps)
  • Sansha: T-Buda, T-Berlin, T-Broadway, T-Swift, T-Bojangles
  • La Duca: Edward
  • Miller and Ben - Jazz Tap Master, Triple Threat
  • Bloch - Tap Flex, Jason Samuel Smith

Character shoes for male identifying dancers

Notes

  • For larger shoe sizes
    • Male identifying dancers with a shoe size larger than a 13, need to special order ballet shoes from Capezio BEFORE arriving on campus. Allow up to 6 weeks for delivery.
    • Female identifying dancers with a shoe size larger than 10, will need to special order, or do an extensive search for shoes.
  • Miller and Ben Shoes all come without taps. Miller and Ben will install taps for an additional fee (recommended) but all styles can be purchased without taps to be worn as character shoes. The styles recommended are those that we think may be the most versatile.
  • Shoe sizes vary quite a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer. Before purchasing shoes be sure to inquire about sizing. Your street shoe size will not always be the right fit in a dance shoe.
  • Quality dance shoes are expensive. While you do not need to spend $200-$300, you do get what you pay for in dance shoes. Cheaper shoes are more difficult to dance in, are more likely to break or fall apart, and are not as good for your feet.
  • Fit is essential. Dance shoes should fit like a glove without pinching or putting pressure on your toes. Shoes with excess room in them are more likely to cause injury than those that fit well. This is especially true with women's heels.