David Green’s MUSICAL THEATRE UNIVERSITY (MTU) is the most intensive and
comprehensive, pre-professional training ground in the performing arts for talented young
people, grades 8 -12, from throughout the Coachella Valley, neighboring counties and
communities, in residence at Rancho Mirage High School. Musical Theatre University
was created and founded by David Green in Orange County, CA in 1999.
Musical
Theatre University at Rancho Mirage High School is presented and sponsored by The
Palm Springs Unified School District. Designed for young people who believe they will pursue a career either on stage or behind
the scenes in professional theatre, with a specific emphasis on musical theatre, MTU
gives them the necessary tools and techniques for a successful entry in both institutions of
higher education and/or directly in to the professional arts industry. MTU is committed to a nurturing and "student-affirming" environment, always placing a
comprehensive, quality arts education for its participants as its first priority. Students are
selected by audition and must display an above average level talent in their chosen
course of study and demonstrate strong potential for growth. There are a limited number
of openings each year to ensure a small, intensive environment with a commitment to
offering the highest level of instruction and performance opportunities to each and every
student. Students from both public and private schools are eligible for audition and acceptance into
the program and represent the entire spectrum of ethnic, cultural, religious and socio-economic
backgrounds. The MTU faculty consists of professional artist-teachers, who are currently working in
their respective fields, giving the students a unique "real-world" experience and practical,
"best-practice" instruction. Guest artists and Master teachers of renown, on both a local and
national level, supplement the core instruction on a regular basis and include the
professional entertainment industries' most celebrated actors, directors, choreographers,
producers, writers, composers and designers. On-site workshops, master classes, auditions,
evaluations, and portfolio reviews are an integral part of the core instructional program. Musical Theatre University consists of several "Majors", or specific courses of study. Currently the MTU Program at RMHS operates two "majors": Musical Theatre (Acting,
Voice and Dance) and Production and Design (Scenic Design and Construction, Sound,
Lighting and Costume Design). Plans are underway to introduce additional majors,
including the nation's first high school program for Theatre Writing (Screenplay, Stage
Play, Composing and Lyric Writing), in seasons to come. Students participate in one
chosen "major" and, upon completion, receive a Certificate of Completion and a transcript
that outlines their specific course of study. The MTU curriculum meets or exceeds the
California State Standards for Arts Education and, in addition, provides a hands-on, "real
world" approach to training which serves as a bridge from classroom to career. Concurrent with their studies, MTU students have the opportunity to participate in unique,
high-level educational and performance projects including, but not limited to:
o MTU ON TOUR: A musical theatre performance troupe representing MTU, the
PSUSD and the community by performing for special events, on television and
radio, for charitable and corporate events, and in concert throughout the nation. o The New Works Project: Working alongside Broadway's most celebrated
composers, writers and lyricists in the development of new musical theatre
culminating in staged readings, workshops and, on occasion, full-scale
productions of these new works. o The Broadway Intensive: A week-long intensive in New York designed for
advanced students which includes Master Classes, Internships and Workshops
with the leading professional on Broadway, attending Broadway Shows and
meeting with the casts and creative teams and culmination in the opportunity to
perform in a major Broadway or Off-Broadway venue. Additionally, students of MTU have the opportunity to participate in three professional level,
fully staged musical theatre productions each season, under the banner of Desert
Cities Music Theatre (DCMT), where students work alongside Broadway and Hollywood
actors and local professional actors/performers at The Helene Galen Performing Arts
Center at Rancho Mirage High School.. The DCMT provides both and educational
"internship" platform for MTU participants and a professional —quality Musical Theatre
producing organization for the entire Coachella Valley. (See more detailed explanation in
the handbook under "Desert Cities Music Theatre".) The 2014-15 DCMT Season will
include the Broadway productions "Into The Woods", "Little Shop Of Horrors" and
"Legally Blonde".
