Arts graduate study brings hope, but fails to address tough issue

In case you missed it, I wrote an article about a study released by Indiana University regarding arts graduates. The study of 13,600 arts graduates found that 92 percent found some type of employment in their field within one year of graduation. Those surveyed range from theater to architecture graduates.

While the study revealed mostly positive statistics, as it was conducted by the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project, it ceased to take an important area into consideration —  artists’ pay level and revenue satisfaction. About 30 percent of formal professional artists surveyed indicated that debt, including student loans was a reason for pursuing a different career path.

I interviewed Jamie Buxton, a graduate of University of Central Oklahoma, and David Herendeen, an OCU professor for the article, which examined pursuing an acting/music theater degree in Oklahoma.

To view the full article published in The Oklahoman and Look at OKC, visit NewsOK.com.

 

Lyric Theatre to host summer, fall show auditions

 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA – Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is hosting auditions from Feb. 28 through March 6 to cast roles for its 2011 summer and fall shows including, Oliver!, Hairspray, Ragtime, A Chorus Line, Altar Boyz and A Christmas Carol.  Auditions will take place at the Lyric Production Center, 1801 NW 16 Street.

Auditions for all other actors, ages 18 and older, will be hosted March 2 through March 6 at the Lyric Production Center. The auditions are by appointment only.  Prepare 16 bars of your best musical theatre song and please bring a non-returnable headshot and resume. An accompanist will be provided for you.

Apprentice and Teen Chorus auditions (ages 14-18) at 4:30 p.m. Feb 28. Children’s auditions (ages 6-15) at 4:30 p.m. March 1. No appointment is necessary to audition for either age group. Please show up at 3:30pm at the Lyric Production Center to sign up for auditions.

Singer auditions will be hosted from:

• 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 2,
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 3,
• 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 4
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m March 5.

Appointment is necessary.

The open dance calls will be hosted at 7:30 p.m. March 3 and  2 p.m. March 5 Registration begins one hour prior to call time.

Final callbacks will be hosted as needed beginning at 10 a.m. March 6

For more information about audition requirements or to sign up for an audition time slot, call Matthew Sipress at 405-524-9310 or visit  the Lyric Theatre website.