The OU Fine Arts Family

A few days ago, I was on a quest to find musical theatre students and professors. What was discovered is that the distinction among the fine arts schools on the surface is surprisingly and positively blurred.

The Fine Arts Center (and more specifically the Rupel J. Jones Theatre) seemed liked the best place to find OU's musical theatre students, professors and other faculty members. Upon entering the building on Elm Ave and Boyd St, that sentiment was (seemingly) almost immediately affirmed. I wondered into the Jones Theatre lobby and a man immediately jumped up to greet himself to me. His name was Jay and he was one of the custodians for Catlett Music Center. Fail.

However, upon more wondering around the building, I met a wonderful woman named Shelly who is the Charge Director of OU's School of Drama. She helped create the stage. You can see her at the bottom left of this picture.

I then met the Master Electrician, Eric Stehl, backstage with one of his students. Their banter was humorous. Once I introduced myself and asked about what Stehl did, they continuously deferred about the magnitude of his job. While the student gushed about how great Eric was, Stehl humbly replied saying he was merely a staff member that was here to serve the student body anyway he can.

Before I left the Fine Arts Center, I met with Michael Fain, an associate professor of drama and the technical director and scenic designer for the School of Drama. He graciously took a moment for an impromptu interview and gave me an important bit of information. I might have difficulty finding many musical theatre professors or students in that building because they aren't based there.

Feeling slightly dejected, Fain suggested that I venture to Carpenter Hall to meet the Director of the School of Musical Theatre. He also introduced me to the relationship between the performing arts schools, or formally the Weitzehoffer Family College of Fine Arts. This includes: the School of Art & Art History, the School of Dance, the School of Drama, the School of Music and the School of Musical Theatre.

I went on to meet and speak with Dr. Greg Kunesh, the Interim Director for the musical theatre school about this relationship. Hear the interview shortly.

The lucky 49 musical theatre students.

It is great because the schools really do view each other as family. Each student is required to take classes through each of the performing arts schools. Whether it is costume construction, piano, dance or acting, a musical theatre student must have at least an introductory level of all facets of the performing arts major.

After the interview I went on to get tickets for the musical theatre's production that night. They were sold out. So my friend got tickets for us to go the next day. On Saturday, we experienced what the fuss was all about. Up next week, a write-up of Rent the award-winning musical. I am still feeling elated from the superb production.

Here is a view of the subway stairs used in the musical.