Troy Wheeler (they/them)
BFA Musical Theatre
Class of 2022
Email: troywheelerofficial@gmail.com
IG: @troywheeler_
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
The people. Hands down they are the absolute best. Now that doesn’t mean that there aren’t moments of drama, there are, haha! What I’m saying is that at the end of the day, everyone is a family. From the moment I stepped foot on this campus I knew that these were my people. My best friends in the world I’ve met during my time at Shenandoah.
What would you change about your program? Why?
Less about the MT program and more so about the University as a whole. Because we are a Conservatory that sits under a University, GenEds are required. If you do not come in with pre existing credits, you have to take six GenEd courses (some within your major and some not). I would really love for the courses outside your major (EX. Math, English, etc) to not be required. I feel as though they sometimes got in the way of me trying to take all of the classes I wanted to. I also believe that the University needs to provide more help with scholarships.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
100% SUPPORTIVE! I was nervous for audition season to start my Freshman year because I hadn’t met anyone yet, due to auditions happening during Welcome Week. When callbacks came out the next day I was met with open arms by people who were called back for the same roles I was. We helped each other learn the material, get confident on it, and really just hyped one another up. Because everyone at Shenandoah is so different from the next person, it really made for a supportive, non competitive environment.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
How incredibly different each person is from the next. Our professors really strive towards picking classes that are not only diverse in look, but also in the way we all perform. It is really awesome.
What makes your program unique?
Our curriculum is being updated as the industry changes. So many programs have had the same curriculum for years and years and nothing really changes. Curriculum change might sound scary because it sounds unstructured, but it is actually the opposite. Every time we have had a curriculum change happen at Shenandoah it has been ahead of the industry changing. Our professors work really hard to make sure we are ahead of the game and that their students are getting the most out of their education.
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
Auditions happen once at the beginning of the first semester for the Fall, and then again at the end of the first semester for the Spring. And YES, Freshmen are allowed to audition. My first year at Shenandoah half of my class was booked. Each audition is held the same way. You can sign up for whatever time you want, and you are also guided on what to prepare. Our BRILLIANT Music Director, and actual Broadway legend, Patrick Brady sends out a memo before school starts about the vibes of each show, the influences, some shows/artists to look at for inspiration, etc. After you sing your song(s), you then wait for the callback list to come out. There is a dance call that typically everyone is called to; this is so that our faculty can provide you any opportunity they can for you to be in front of an audition panel. Preparing us for the industry in the audition sense is a huge priority of the faculty. Callbacks run as they normally would, and then you wait for the cast lists to come out! You are also required as Musical Theatre major to audition for all of the Plays; they provide audition info for that too. Senior Year second semester is the only semester you don’t have to audition for IF you have your two required show credits; which most people have by then. For instance I had more than two show credits but we were doing A CHORUS LINE, which is a dream show of mine, and so I still auditioned! Totally up to the student!
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?
We have Greek life, but not as you typically know it! We don’t have assigned houses for each one, etc. Greek life at Shenandoah is more Community Service based than anything. The Conservatory has a TON of music/theatre based ones you can join. Double majoring is a bit more rare as a Musical Theatre major, but getting a minor is not! The most popular one would be the minor in Dance, but you can sort of do whatever fits with your schedule!
Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?
The head of our program, Broadway’s Kevin Covert, will send any auditions for Summer work that he hears about or gets sent himself. Other than that, the students are the ones who help each other apply and submit for Summer Stock theatre and audition conferences!
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
I wish more than anything that our Faculty were more diverse. In an industry, and a world, that is changing every day and making strides towards more diverse communities and workplaces, that should also be reflected at Shenandoah.
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
Very personal! They are there for you every step of the way. They acknowledge and stress that they are not licensed therapists and can’t help with everything, but they will always be there for you if you need it.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
Feedback for students in terms of performing is given in our performance based classes. More personalized feedback can be given during meetings with faculty members to see where they might be in their trajectory. Students may provide feedback anytime throughout the year, our faculty is always open to hearing what we have to say, and also during online course evaluations at the end of every semester.
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
Shenandoah Conservatory just recently within the last couple years created The SU Diversity Recruitment Team! Which pledges to work towards bringing opportunities, like coming to Shenandoah, to minority communities. They are also constantly working towards making sure Diversity scholarships are more accessible to current and incoming students.
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
We have physical trainers on campus if you need to speak to someone in regards to that! We also have a therapist that is specifically on campus for Conservatory students/performers. I won’t lie, our University could have more of that, but it is working towards that every day.
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
Going somewhere COMPLETELY new many many hours from home. I am a city boy and so coming to a farm land town was frightening I won’t lie. But now after four years I am completely in love with the small town vibe; still love the city more haha! One of the town’s most popular coffee shops is queer owned! My barber shop is queer owned! It’s a surprisingly inclusive town, in a rather conservative state.
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
From the moment I had my pre audition meeting with all the faculty and other kids auditioning. I turned to my dad after and told him I needed to come here. After four years I can say that I made the right choice.