Class show to highlight student vocalists

Story by Sarah Baker, Editor

A Music Theatre Workshop class will present a small show in the form of a variety show this weekend. The show will feature opera music as well as songs from the ’70s, including selections from the Broadway play “Chicago” and the opera “The Marriage of Figaro.”

The workshop is organized and directed by Assistant Professor of Music Marci Ziegler and takes place in the fall semester of every other year. Most of the students enrolled in Music Theatre Workshop are music majors, but there are some non-majors in the class as well.

Ziegler said that she picks out the theme of the show based on the voices of the students who enroll in her class. She looks for music that would be a good fit with their vocal capabilities.

This year some of her students can sing operatic music, one of her favorite genres. She also had to adjust the repertoire to better fit her students because there are more female students.

The performances will be a little mix of everything, from the music to the set and props.

“We use minimal sets, like we use a few set pieces and props,” Ziegler said. “Costumes are kind of a splash of this and a splash of that. They wear a lot of their own clothing if we can make it work for the scene. We don’t have access to sets and full costumes. It is very much a workshop environment.”

Class members in the Music Theatre Workshop will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, in McKibbin Recital Hall.