Overtures
June 9 - June 21, 2025
Designed for college-aged students and recent graduates, Overtures is a two-week intensive, professional training program designed to provide students with the necessary steppingstones from university training to working in musical theatre professionally. Rigorous and personalized instruction in vocal technique, song interpretation, acting and auditions in both group and private settings with professional directors, music directors, choreographers, casting directors and actors make Overtures a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Program
The Program
Overtures 2025 runs Monday through Saturday, June 9-June 21, 10AM-9PM, with approximately nine hours of training each day, leaving sufficient time for meals and rest. Most days consist of a combination of classes, private sessions and master classes. The experience culminates with an audition for local professional casting directors and a showcase for the public. Each student will also leave with high quality, prerecorded monologues and songs for use in video auditions and on their personal websites.
The Teachers
The Teachers
Overtures is overseen by Signature’s Artistic Department. In previous years, core faculty has included Signature’s Artistic Director, Matthew Gardiner; award winning actress and voice teacher, Tracy Lynn Olivera; critically acclaimed choreographers like Kelly d’Amboise Crandall and Rickey Tripp; professional music directors Angie Benson and Bobby McCoy, and professional actors Gregory Wooddell and Holly Twyford. While we aren’t ready to announce the 2025 faculty yet, we will post updates soon.
The Showcase
The Showcase
Following the audition for local casting directors, students perform a fully staged showcase for the public. This showcase features solos, duets, ensemble numbers and monologues. The 2025 Overtures showcase will take place on June 21 in the MAX Theatre at Signature. The performance is free and open to the public. No reservations are accepted or required.
In Person Auditions
In Person Auditions
Auditions for Overtures 2025 will take place on February 15, 2025 from 10AM to 1PM at Signature Theatre. Auditioning for Overtures is a three-step process:
- Register: Audition appointments will be available starting January 2, 2025. To schedule an appointment, please contact Matthew Strote at overtures@sigtheatre.org (Students that email requesting a slot ahead of January 2, 2025 will not be given priority).
- Dance Audition: All auditioning students begin the day promptly at 10AM for a group dance call. This is a mandatory step of the audition. Following the dance audition, students will be given time to change clothing and prepare for the next step.
- Vocal and acting audition: Auditioning students need a prepared, memorized and contemporary one-minute monologue and a 32-bar musical theatre song. The song must be accompanied (there will be an accompanist in the room).
Video Audition
Video Audition
If you cannot attend the live auditions on February 15, you may apply by submitting your contact information and a video submission to the link below. The three videos should consist of:
- A prepared and memorized contemporary one-minute monologue.
- A 32-bar musical theater song.
- A demonstration of your dance and movement experience. Preferably a combo or sequence you have recently worked on.
Video submissions must be submitted by February 17, 2025.
Tuition
Tuition
Tuition for Overtures 2025 will be $1,757. Housing availability is very limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis, should it be available. Additional costs for housing can be expected.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Signature Education believes that no one should miss out on arts training because they cannot afford it. Fellowships are available for applicants with special circumstances. A limited number of full and partial tuition fellowships are made possible by individual and organizational donors. Fellowship funds can also be awarded for travel, housing and per diem expenses. Click here to apply for a fellowship.