Behind the Scenes of Drake University Theater 

While music and theater majors have the reputation of suffering from the easy life, know that the rumors are untrue, because these stage extraordinaries continue to work hard for the opportunity to provide entertainment for the Drake community. 

Sophia Roberts and Emilia Jurzyk, both freshmen, have worked to enhance their musical skills and perfect their art, as they prepare for their performances later in the school year. 

Roberts explained the process of auditioning for the student-led programs happening in October. 

“I had to perform two monologues, both contrasting, one lighthearted and one very dramatic,” Roberts said.

Though Roberts has been contributing to the arts since she was only four, she chose to attend Drake not only for the theater program, but also for the opportunity to partake in other areas of study, double majoring in both theater and journalism. 

“I chose Drake because they had a really flexible theater community and I wanted to major in journalism as well, because that also sparked my interest,” Roberts said. 

However, Roberts said that nothing compares to being on the stage. 

“It’s just a whole other world,” Roberts said. “My number one priority is to be in character, doing my best while performing, and being in the moment.”

Jurzyk, a full-time music major, also gets out of the arts what she puts into it. 

“I really enjoy the connection that I get with people,” Jurzyk said. “Sometimes you look out into the audience, and you can see somebody really getting into what you’re doing. There are moments, even in choral performances, that you can make a difference in someone.”

“The choir audition was a lot shorter. And it was just an excerpt to get a feel of how your voice is and where it would fit in,” Jurzyk said. “But the opera was very much about your performance, like how you are as a performer and how you’re able to act on stage by yourself.”

Being involved in the Drake Choir Ensemble, spēro Ensemble, as well as three opera scenes, has Jurzyk in no way struggling to fill time. 

“I work hard, music students take a lot of time outside of class with practice…I also feel that when I talk about what it’s like to be a music major and the busy hours, people respect it,” Jurzyk said.

She also pointed to hidden costs behind the music program as a source of stress within the sea of practicing and performance prepping. 

“There’s also a fee for your accompanist. You have to pay more for stuff like competitions and juries, as well as private voice lessons,” Jurzyk said. “Then there’s also things like memberships for the National Association of Music Educators, choir dresses and other such things. So, there are some costs that you don’t really know about until you get into the music program.” 

Regarding any and all stresses, these two key players in the Fine Arts Center remain in agreement: the best way to support them and the Drake Theater Department is to show up and see their productions.

Coming up are two Drake Choirs performances, one on Oct. 23 and the next following on Dec. 4. 

On Dec. 8, a major performance with the DUCC and Drake Choir with Drake Symphonic Orchestra is set to occur. The Student Theater Productions are scheduled later in the year, from Feb. 23-26. All performances are to be performed at the Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main. 

In the coming weeks, Roberts and Jurzyk will take their places and their hard work will shine through.