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 Plaza auditions

OCU students interested in regional theater opportunities outside the university can audition August 20 and 21 for The Rocky Horror Show, Always… Patsy Cline and Boeing Boeing at Lyric Theatre. Auditions only will be by appointment.

Auditions will be at the Lyric Production Center, 1801 NW 16^th Street. Michael Baron, Lyric Theatre’s artistic director, will direct, The Rocky Horror Show, Always… Patsy Cline and Boeing Boeing. All roles will be cast at the auditions.

Persons auditioning for The Rocky Horror Show are asked to prepare 16 bars of a rock musical.

Those auditioning for Patsy in Always… Patsy Cline, are asked to prepare 16 bars of a country song. Persons auditioning for Patsy’s friend, Louise Seger, and/or Boeing Boeing, are asked to prepare a comic monologue not exceeding 90 seconds.

To schedule an audition time, call Matthew Sipress at 405-524-9310 starting August 2^.

Students of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management are required to seek approval from dance department officials prior to committing to non-university related performances, according to the department’s standards and procedures.

Visit the Lyric Theatre website for more information about audition requirements.