Theatre Program

Get the Flash Player to see this slideshow.

Musical Theatre

The University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts is delighted to offer a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre. This exciting program focuses on professional training and student development in a Christ-centered environment of excellence.

It is our mission to help you grow as a versatile performer, follower of Christ and global citizen through a nationally recognized professional curriculum, caring and talented faculty, and professional performing opportunities.

Our 2009-2010 season includes three Mainstage Productions in our acclaimed Upper Room Theatre, as well as student scenes, participation in Sounds of Mobile, workshops by professional guest artists, a new international summer training program for casting directors in Germany, and much more.

Bruce Earnest
Chair & Director, Musical Theatre

Theatre Auditions

On-campus auditions during the Spring 2010 semester will take place:

March 6, 2010
April 10, 2010
May 8, 2010

Audition Requirements:

32 measures of an up-tempo song from musical theatre
32 measures of a ballad from musical theatre
One-minute monologue
Personal interview with the Chair of Music Theatre Department
Completed application

For additional information on Musical Theatre auditions, contact Mr. Bruce Earnest .

Musical Theatre Faculty

	Mr. Bruce Earnest Associate Professor of Theatre Chair & Director, Musical Theatre B.A., Westfield State College M.M., University of Miami Tenor Bruce Earnest has appeared in over 50 operatic and musical theatre roles in Europe and the United States, performing with the Munich State Theatre, State Theatre Passau, Opera Roanoke, The Berkshire Opera, Vienna Folks Opera, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Walt Disney World, the Hamburg Musical Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic, among many others. His directing or music directing credits include Camelot, The Fantastiks, Big River and Oklahoma, just to name a few. He has conducted master classes and workshops on singing for the stage and musical theatre acting interpretation in the U.S. and throughout Europe, and has over 35 former students working in major productions in the UK, Europe, on Broadway, and in national tours in the U.S. He has served as voice and artistic consultant for Stage Entertainment and European productions of AIDA by Elton John, Mama Mia, and Phantom of the Opera. He was co-founder/managing director of MusicTheatre Bavaria, a professional training program for music theatre and opera located in Oberaudorf, Germany. bearnest@umobile.edu 251.442.2383
	Mrs. Darla Earnest Adjunct Instructor Vocal Specialist B.M., University of Central Florida M.A., Bethel University As a master class instructor and vocal technician specializing in musical theatre belting technique as well as operatic vocal technique, soprano Darla Earnest has worked in Austria, Germany and the United States, producing students currently working in the musical theatre and classical music industries worldwide. Her energetic approach to teaching has been called “refreshing,” “disarming,” “passionate” and “fun” by her students. Her diverse career includes being a member of the vocal jazz ensemble “Voices of Liberty” at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, as well as being the soprano soloist in EPCOT’s Italy specializing in Neopolitan songs and Italian opera arias. She has also sung numerous musical theatre and opera roles including Grace Farrell in Annie, Laura in the world premiere of Parable, Anna in The King and I, and The Sound of Music’s Maria. She was most recently on the voice faculties of the Conservatory for Music and Theater/Bavarian Theater Academy, and in the Prinzregententehater, both in Munich, Germany, and was affiliated with the Innsbruck Conservatory in Innsbruck, Austria. She is on the voice faculty and is a co-founder of the International Performing Arts Institute in Germany, and is married to tenor Bruce Earnest.
	Mr. Keone Fuqua Adjunct Instructor Acting Movement Specialist/Production Manager B.A., University of South Alabama M.F.A., University of Southern Mississippi Actor, director and teacher Keone Fuqua has worked with the Southeastern Theatre Conference Inc., the largest and most active regional theatre service organization in the nation. His experiences in film, television and theatre in California and the Southeast inform his teaching as he shapes the professional and spiritual growth of students.
	Ms. Monica L. Henry Adjunct Instructor Choreographer/Dance B.F.A., University of South Alabama Known throughout the Gulf Coast as one of the most sought after choreographers around, Monica Henry does dance instruction and choreography for many church and community organizations, as well as high schools and colleges. She spent 10 years dancing with semi-professional leagues including the Arena Football League, Indoor Professional Football League, and National Basketball Developmental League. Currently she is dance ministry leader at Mt. Hebron Church Ministries and is an actress, model and writer.