Transcript:

[Music plays to dancing students]

[Dancing students video fades to Kenneth Roberson and Richard Roland]

>>Kenneth Roberson: My name is Kenneth Roberson and I’ve been proud to be here at I.U. since 2014. My background is in Broadway performance and I’ve also had the opportunity to create three shows on Broadway.

>>Richard Roland: I’m Richard Roland and I’m born and raised in New York, New York. I was raised on Broadway. My parents were in it. So I was in it eventually and I found this love of teaching and then I.U. came calling which was a fantastic ride.

>>Kenneth Roberson: Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance.

>>Richard Roland: It’s small. It’s focused. We only bring in an average of thirteen to fourteen students per year which keeps the whole musical theater B.F.A. program around forty-three to forty four. And we really get to hone the craft. Up singing, acting, and dancing as well as choreography and writing. Like we say the more hats you wear as a theater artist the more chances you have of getting hired.

>>Kenneth Roberson: Our students becoming very well rounded. They learn the aspect about becoming a whole person.

>>Richard Roland: We’re very committed to the individual here. The thoughtful performer is what is really going to make an impact in the business. We sort of look at this as entrepreneurship. Knowing there is a world outside of theater is what makes a very successful theater artist.

>>Title: No Cuts

[pause for music to continue with video of students performing]

>>Richard Roland: We’re not a cookie cutter program. We’re not a cut program and I love that because we really get to focus on the strengths of each of our students. We have to build upon what you like and who you are. We’re not preparing types. We’re preparing an individual. Of course you’re going to change and evolve and grow within the program and within life. We all do that but we want to prepare you for a tough but rewarding and lovable career in the arts.

>>Title: Master Classes

[pause for music to continue with video of students performing]

>>Kenneth Roberson: We are all people. We have experience of working the in’s and out’s of working in the industry. Because of our background in performing on Broadway, we bring in lots of top casting directors here so our kids can get other viewpoints besides ours and I love it when the casting director says yet but I’ve been standing a whole while so I feel great about that.

>>Title: Sibling program

>>Kenneth Roberson: It’s very scary to come to a school and not owning from the school that direction. They do have to be standing up and performing. So we have this program.

>>Richard Roland: It’s another level of mentorship that we foster here. We are mentors to all of these students but there’s certain things that they do on that private individual level. We haven’t been students in a while so we’re. Undergrad was a long time ago but if I think back I do remember how scared it was to go to school and to have a big brother or big sister watch out and answer questions is just as valuable as having faculty serve as mentors and guides and advisors.

>>Kenneth Roberson: It’s gonna build stamina and strength and focus. We are creative scholars, not only performers.

>>Richard Roland: I have good guidance as a student and I want to pass that on to you so that if you are willing to work really hard and commit four years to us, we’ll indeed commit ourselves to you so come on and say hi.

>>Title: Closing Indiana University Title