Safety & Inclusion in the Theater

The Jacobs School of Music is committed to maintaining an environment for faculty and students that is free from misconduct, harassment, discrimination, microaggressions, bullying, and implicit biases. Students or faculty who feel that they have experienced any of these are encouraged to report the behavior to the JSoM Executive Associate Dean, musexec@indiana.edu. Students may Report a Bias Incident (more details below) by clicking here. Students are also welcome to contact Cathy Compton, IU Opera Theater Managing Director (Acting) at cacompto@iu.edu with any questions or concerns.

Reporting a Bias Incident:

Marking

Guiding principle:

Singers cast into roles with IU Opera Theater should feel empowered to make decisions regarding their own vocal health, including voice use during opera rehearsals. Singers should keep in mind that they know their voice better than anyone. Student artists will always be supported by IU Opera Theater music coaching staff and administration in making decisions about what they can or cannot handle vocally. We recognize also that the demands of singers in our productions include not only maestro and staging rehearsals and opera coachings, but also choir, voice lessons, and other auditions and extracurricular engagements. Singers must carefully consider their vocal load in consultation with their voice teacher to balance their priorities and the health and safety of their instrument. If a singer ever questions that what is being asked of them vocally in opera rehearsal is not healthy for their voice, the singer and/or the singer’s voice teacher should not hesitate to bring this up with Kevin Murphy and/or Cathy Compton to remedy the issue without fear of repercussion.

Marking: What is it?

Marking can mean different things for different singers, but might include some of the following strategies to reduce vocal load and preserve the voice:

• Singing down (or up) the octave to reduce extremes in range
• Marking high notes (not singing full out, or going to falsetto)
• Singing quietly or speaking text in rhythm, depending on situation
• Please speak with your voice teacher about strategies for marking, and what healthy marking might mean for your individual voice.

When is marking acceptable?

In staging rehearsals, it is not necessary to sing out all the time. Singers should speak with their teachers and develop strategies for singing out and marking that work for them and prepare them for dress week/performances. Kevin Murphy is happy to help advise as needed. We recognize that while our rehearsals are 4:30-6:30 and 7:30-10, often singers come to these rehearsals from other vocal demands throughout the day, including lessons, coachings, classes, and choir.

Reasons to mark might include:

• Illness
• Vocal fatigue
• Uncertainty of how to deliver the maestro/director’s request. Student should address with their voice teacher.
• Repetitive rehearsal of the same scene
• Saving voice for a rehearsal where everyone needs to sing out.

When should a singer notify IU Opera Theater Music Staff and/or the conductor if they plan to mark?

There are some rehearsals when the conductor, stage director, and others in the room will expect singers to be demonstrating how they will perform the role fully so that issues of casting balancing (for cast pairings), balance in general, spacing, etc. can be addressed. As much as possible, singers should be prepared to manage their vocal load such that they are able to sing out in the following types of rehearsals. If in any context a conductor is having a singer repeat vocally taxing passages multiple times, a singer should feel free to mark. Singers should always feel empowered not to sing when they are tired or their voice feels strained. They should also develop strategies to communicate this information in a timely and professional manner so that artistic staff can adjust accordingly. If a singer needs to or plans to mark in any of the following kinds of rehearsals, a conversation in advance of the rehearsal for planning purposes is advised and appreciated whenever possible:

• Maestro rehearsals
• Room runs
• Rehearsals with orchestra
• Orchestra Dress rehearsals

Rehearsal Policies

• Attendance at all rehearsals to which you are called is mandatory, but occasionally a release is granted under special circumstances. If you have a conflict you have yet to inform us of, fill out a rehearsal release request Rehearsal Release Request immediately.
• If at any point during the process you need to miss a rehearsal due to a same-day illness or emergency, please let the stage manager know as soon as possible by calling or texting their cell phone.

• Please arrive to rehearsal on time for your call, which means in the room ready to work at the scheduled start time. If you are running late, send the stage manager a text so we can plan accordingly. If your call time is after the start of the rehearsal, please enter quietly as to not disturb the current rehearsal.
• When you arrive at rehearsal, initial the sign-in sheet on the call board and pick up your name tag. There will be chairs set up behind the piano and production tables where you can sit and keep your personal items during rehearsal.
• Please be sure to silence and put away all cell phones and other electronics during rehearsal. The use of cell phones and electronic devices is only permitted before/after rehearsal and on breaks.
• There is absolutely no recording or photography of any kind during rehearsals. This includes audio and video recording, Facebook posts, Snapchat, and all other forms of social media. This helps ensure a safe and open rehearsal environment where we can explore freely without judgment from those on the outside before our show is ready. Occasionally the use of study videos has proven helpful, especially for choreography, however recording of any study videos must be pre-approved by stage management and the director/choreographer.
• Please refrain from wearing to rehearsal any type of perfume/cologne, scented oils, scented lotion, scented hair products, or anything else that may affect other’s olfactory sensitivities or allergies.
• Open-toe and backless shoes are not permitted for staging rehearsals. Please wear proper footwear for all rehearsals.

Guests in rehearsals

In order to ensure a productive work environment for both students and the artistic team, opera rehearsals in 301 are by invitation / special permission only. Please do not invite colleagues, guests, prospective students, etc. to attend rehearsals in 301 without gaining written permission in advance from the Opera Office. Our rehearsal time is incredibly short, and we need everyone to concentrate on the task at hand.

Voice faculty members are welcome to observe rehearsals in MC301 and in the Theater during dress week. Voice faculty are aware they must refrain from offering feedback during rehearsal (including during breaks) and will be seated by stage management upon arrival to the rehearsal space in 301.  In the theater, faculty may send texts to your phones (which you can retrieve when you are in your dressing room), and if time permits, you may speak with them in the hall during breaks. Director of Coaching and Music Administration Kevin Murphy will be the liaison between faculty and the artistic team, and will address any issues of balance (etc.) to the maestro.

Guests in dress rehearsals

For the final two dress orchestra rehearsals (generally Wednesday and Thursday before a Friday opening), students may enter the Musical Arts Center at the Southeast doors (by the Marketplace), which open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. rehearsal start time. An usher will direct students up the stairs or via the elevator to the balcony. An usher will be posted at the balcony entrance, and students will need to write their name, email, and area of study on a sign-in sheet to gain entry to the rehearsal.

Student Enrollment for Opera Productions

After being cast, in order for a singer to accept and perform a role, enrollment as a student during the semester of the production will be verified. For doctoral students, enrollment in MUS-G 901 satisfies this requirement. For additional clarification about this policy, please contact opera@indiana.edu.