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INTRODUCTION:
The College Light Opera
Company is an independent nonprofit educational theatre founded in 1969 and
currently produced by Robert A. and Ursula R. Haslun. The Company seeks to
provide fine Broadway stock musicals to summer audiences on Cape Cod, while
at the same time giving young talent a chance to begin a career in music
theatre. The group consists of 32 talented singers, a fine 17 piece
orchestra, and 12 dedicated technicians. The Company is selected annually
from applicants in colleges and universities all across the country. The
members of the Company are dedicated to learning the various techniques of
music theatre under the guidance of a trained professional staff.
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THE COMPANY:
The College Light Opera Company was
founded in 1969 and is the largest resident theatre company in the United
States. Located in Falmouth on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the company performs
nine operettas and musicals each season with full orchestral accompaniment.
CLOC is one of the only summer music theatres that performs with full pit
orchestra. The 86 members of the company spend the summer working in a
professional atmosphere free of other academic responsibilities. CLOC
welcomes both younger applicants seeking to gain experience in musical
theatre and the more mature performer, musician, and technician seeking to
polish his or her craft working with a professional staff and participating
in nine different productions. The company performs at the air-conditioned
Highfield Theatre in Falmouth and plays to enthusiastic standing-room-only
audiences throughout the season.
CLOC has always specialized in the
performance of light opera and classical musical comedy. Repertoire for the
season will be announced in January.
The artistic staff of the company are
professionals in their field. Many are college or university professors or
have had music and stage directing experience in New York and in regional
opera houses and theatres. Normally there are four stage directors and three
music directors each season. Other professionals on the artistic staff
include costume and set designers, two associate conductors, choreographer,
and two piano accompanists.
The company members include a vocal
ensemble of 32, an orchestra of 18, and six each on the stage and costume
crews. CLOC also seeks staff members - refer to appropriate sections below.
Members of the company receive room and board for the summer season. As a
result, expenses, after arrival in Falmouth, are minimal. CLOC charges a
non-refundable $50 Registration Fee of those accepted which covers
administrative costs and a mandatory accident insurance policy. In addition
we require a $50 room deposit and completion of contract fee which is
refunded with interest at the conclusion of the season.
The company does not subscribe to the
apprentice system used at many summer theatres. CLOC members are treated as
professionals and are expected to work only at the positions for which they
were hired.
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The Vocal Ensemble:
The 32-member vocal ensemble is selected
on the basis of an audio taped or CD audition and letters of recommendation.
No assignment of roles is made until the entire company arrives in June and
auditions for the first three shows. Thereafter, throughout the season,
auditions are held for two shows at a time. All members are assigned to
either principal roles or chorus in each production. We cannot emphasize
enough our concept of a vocal ensemble comprised of equals. Those cast in
the chorus of a given production are considered as integral and valuable to
the production as those cast in principal roles. A vocal company member may
be cast in many principal parts, but should not join the company with that
expectation.
The rehearsals for the vocal company
begin approximately the second week of June. After the season opens, there
are five evening performances, Tuesday through Saturday, and a matinee
performance on Thursday. A technical rehearsal takes place on Sunday evening
and a dress rehearsal on Monday evening. While one show is being performed,
the following week's show is being rehearsed during the day. This
concentration of rehearsals and performances in one summer results in
practical experience equal to or greater than that which most students
acquire in their entire undergraduate career.
The day for the vocal company begins at
10:00 a.m. with a break for lunch at 12:30 and then continues from 2:00
until 5:30. During the first weeks before the season opens, evening
rehearsals are also scheduled. Sunday mornings are free.
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The Orchestra:
The 18-person orchestra includes four
violins, viola, cello, double bass, two flutes (one doubling on piccolo),
oboe, two clarinets (ideally doubling on saxophone), bassoon, two horns,
trombone, trumpet and percussion. A harp is also used as required. Two piano
accompanists play for rehearsals and with the orchestra for performances as
required. The orchestra normally rehearses from 10:00-12:30 on Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 2:00-5:00 on Saturday. There is a
matinee on Thursday. Sundays are free. The schedule is subject to change
depending on the requirements of each show.
In addition the orchestra presents its
own concert each summer at the West Falmouth Library. Members are encouraged
to bring chamber music with them for presentation at this event.
The orchestra is auditioned by audio tape
or CD with two supporting letters of recommendation. Orchestra members
receive a cash scholarship in addition to room and board.
The Stage and Costume Crews:
In designing and building all of its own
sets and costumes, CLOC accomplishes another of its educational goals.
Working under the direction of the Set Designer/Technical Director are six
stage technicians, usually undergraduates, and include a carpenter,
electrician, scenic artist, property master and two generalists. These six
build the sets each week and run the performances. Each crew member is given
the chance during the season to develop familiar skills and to learn new
ones in all areas of stage craft. Stage and costume crew members receive a
stipend in addition to room and board.
Working hours vary depending on the
demands of the production, but are normally 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a
break for lunch and a return in the evening for the performance, rehearsal,
or general building. Wednesdays are free.
The Costume Designer also has a staff of
six people. Working under his or her direction, they include a Wardrobe
Mistress and a Crew Foreman as well as four generalists. As with the Stage
Crew, it is the intent of the company to strengthen those skills of costume
building that crew members already possess and to introduce them to areas in
which their experience is less complete. Working hours follow those of the
technical crew except there is always an evening shift during performances.
Wednesdays are free.
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STAFF POSITIONS:
Each year there are a number of staff
openings for undergraduates and graduate students. These are listed below
and additional information sheets detailing specific duties and stipends may
be requested from the Producers. All staff positions are listed, but some
may not be open due to members returning from previous seasons.
[Click on job name for a job
description]
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