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Welcome to Confluence Conversations, where we explore the partnerships, programs, and experiences that elevate student success across Confluence Academies.
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I'm your host, Christy Hoole, Head of School at Grand Center Arts Academy, and today we're talking about the power of arts education and the opportunities available to young performers and creatives through the Muni.
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For generations, the Muni has helped students discover their talents, develop new skills, and gain experiences that can shape their futures both on and off the stage.
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So I want to introduce our guest today.
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Joining us is Tally Allen, Director of Education for the Muni.
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Welcome.
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Thank you.
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We also have Dekila Epps, a Grand Center Arts Academy alumni who has performed as part of the Muni's Youth Ensemble, and Joshua Bruton, another Grand Center Arts Academy alum and former Muni kid.
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Welcome, everyone.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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It is so great to be here.
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And obviously, as the head of school at Grand Center Arts Academy, this conversation is obviously very important to me because this is the commitment that we make at Grand Center Arts Academy is to have strong partnerships and to work with students to make sure that they are really having a chance to have all kinds of opportunities in their pathway.
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And you were both dance pathway students when you attended Grand Center Arts Academy, correct?
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Yes.
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Okay, so that's really important, right?
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To have that experience.
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So, Tali, let me just start with you.
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Why do you think arts education remains such an important part of the Muni's mission?
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And talk to us a little bit about what the mission of the Muni actually is.
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Well, yeah, I think it's it's probably one of the key components in our mission, which is um to ensure that musical theater is is um accessible and enriching to all, um which obviously education does that for us.
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And um all of our programming, uh, most of our program, I believe 95% of our programming is free.
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Um and so it gives us complete access to the community.
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Um we create like evolving programming that's kind of need-based in the community so that we're not confined to just one thing at all at all the time.
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Um so I think that supports the mission in a much stronger way.
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And what makes you, you know, there's a lot of partnerships throughout St.
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Louis.
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Obviously, Grand Center Arts Academy is located in the heart of the arts district.
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So there's a lot of opportunities and partnerships for our students.
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What makes the Munis the most unique?
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Uh I think, well, clearly it's the probably the professional performance experience that they get.
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Um I mean, they have the opportunity, well, the performers have the opportunity to perform for 11,000 people, which I don't think really there's not many opportunities like that in the country.
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Um, and then like I said, our programming, a lot of the educational programming, not just in St.
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Louis, but in any theater organization, is really donor-based or in meet fundraising based, um, and ours isn't.
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And so we're able to constantly change and constantly evolve and restructure our programming according to like what the community needs, what our students need.
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Um, if we run something and it's and it meets the need and it serves its purpose, then we can change it midstream or within the next year to tweak it however they need it.
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So we're never confined or restricted to just one thing.
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Um, we're always changing and evolving and making the necessary adjustments that a lot of organizations aren't able to do just because of the grants that are required or the funding that's required.
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And that's really important, right?
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And just kind of as you're talking, I'm thinking about like how things just change and progress.
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Um, and you being flexible and adapting to that is obviously something that's made you as successful as you are as an organization.
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Yeah, it's and it's a huge blessing, obviously for us, um, that we can always be able to kind of be in touch, obviously with the kids, but but with the schools, with any of our partners, we're like, well, what do you need?
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How can we help?
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How can we more of a true partnership unless like here's what we're gonna give you, and then you just have to apply it.
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Well, this this contract that we signed says that we have to do this specific thing with this specific group.
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You know, it we can broaden our reach, and that's the most important thing.
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That is so great.
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So I want to talk to our former students.
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Um, almost just said kids, but you're adults.
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I call them kids.
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Yeah, I know, I know.
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Um, so Joshua and um Dekyla, what first sparked your your passion, right?
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Because we were talking about this a little bit before we even started recording about sort of how we got into what our passion is and and what you're doing.
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And so, really, from both of you, I'm really interested in what got you interested in the arts.
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I guess we'll go first.
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Um, I will always say that I always wanted to dance.
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So even as a kid, I just always wanted to move.
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And by the time I hit middle school, I was dancing at Coca.
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And a teacher there, Miss Ann Slinger, you may know her, she does a lot of productions, especially the musical field.
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She reached out to me and said that I should audition for the Muni.
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And I was like, what is that?
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Never heard of it.
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Ended up auditioning my first year, and that's how I did The Little Mermaid.
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It was the best experience of my life.
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And while doing The Mermaid, I realized that there are times where before shows there'd be kids who perform.
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And I was wondering, like, what is that?
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What are they doing?
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I found out they're the Muni kids, and I was like, I gotta try it for that next year.
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Auditioned for it, got in, ended up doing The Wiz that year, which was also a fun experience.
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And from there, kind of just shot off from there.
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Fell in love with musicals, constantly want to do it, say, wanna put myself in more workshops to get used to like how they run, how they do their auditions, and kind of just go for it, honestly.
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That's awesome.
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And what about you?
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For me, um, it all started uh at church.
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I praise danced growing up.
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Uh I remember sitting in the pews and being like, I want to do that.
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And my parents were like, okay.
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And so I signed up for it and I did that for a while.
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Then after praise dancing, I realized that it was a deeper passion for me and that I wanted to explore it on a bigger level.
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So from there I was actually invited to see The Lion King at Coca.
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And watching that show, I just remember the feeling that I had.
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It was really pivotal for me in my experience as a young person seeing art on stage.
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And I remember telling my mom, like, I want to be up there.
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Like it, I I had a feeling that I was supposed to be on the stage versus in the audience.
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So from there I went and started to do, um, I joined the DYA program and I did workshops like how to dance LLC with Mari Watson and Dr.
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Phil Woodmore, who actually introduced me to the Muni.
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He was the person who told me you should audition for the Muni.
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I had no clue what it was at that time.
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And I said, okay, and I gave it a try.
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And um my first production was actually The Whiz at COCOCA with Ron Himes and Dr.
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Phil.
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And being in that production just made me realize that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.
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This is my passion, and the community that was revolved around it was amazing.
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Yeah.
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So it sounds, Tally, like both of these young people have been involved with different programs through the Muni.
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And I know that you offer several other programs too.
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You know, Joshua talked about being a Muni kid.
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Um, Dekailo was talking about being part of the youth ensemble.
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And I know you also have Muni Kids, Muni Teens, Muni Summer Intensive.
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So give us a little bit of information about all the different programs that the Muni offers.
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Yeah, well, like I said, they're they're constantly changing.
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Um, but right now we're running obviously Kids and Teens are our flagship program.
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Um, they've been around for over 30 years.
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Um, and then we have our T3 program, which is our technical theater training program, and that is for high school sophomore through seniors, um, and they'll come in for four to five Saturdays, typically in the spring, and work with our artisans, our craftsmen, our stage hands, and learn how to build a set, paint um electrics, sorry, electrics, lighting, all kinds of things like that.
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Um, and we'll partner with a community theater in town, and they will design and build their set for them.
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Um, so it's free for the student, but it's also free to the community theater that will build their set for them.
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So it's kind of like a double partnership, but it's great for both sides.
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Um, and it hopefully it'll foster relationships with those students with the theater.
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Um, the students will also gain skills that they can take back to their schools and hopefully rebuild or or broaden and further develop their technical theater programs at their schools.
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Um, and we also have an opportunity for them to hopefully maybe join some of our unions and then work on the Muni lot at, you know, once they reach adulthood.
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Yeah.
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I love the fact that you mentioned, sorry, I love the fact that you mentioned that the students are bringing back what they're learning at the Muni to whether it's Grand Center Arts Academy or, you know, I know you work with other schools and other organizations with adolescents across St.
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Louis, but especially for Grand Center Arts Academy, it's important that the Muni, it is a really a true partnership where students like Dekaila and Joshua are bringing back.
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And then it's also a probably a great recruitment tool for the Muni because you have these, you know, students coming back and showing their excitement for what they're doing, which leads to conversations with other dance pathway students as well.
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We have theater pathway, you know, music pathway, all things that um are part of the Muni.
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And so I think that's just an incredible partnership between the Muni, um, and it really is a true partnership.
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And so well, what's great when they both talked about the teachers that influenced them.
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You know, Mrs.
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Onslinger was a Muni teen and has worked there consistently.
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Yeah, she's amazing.
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And has choreographed for us recently, um, and then Dr.
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Phil worked with the Muni kids.
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So that relationship in the community with mentors and teachers also help kind of helps foster and does its own recruiting for us.
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And they have these people, these experienced artists in the classroom with them that you know, very we're so grateful that they send them to us and that we partner with them as well.
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Of like, what kids do you have?
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How can we help them?
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And we've had Grand Center students in the T3 program that have had great success.
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So we we really, really enjoy it.
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Yeah.
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So I would love to hear from the students or the former students, not students anymore, right?
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They're all you know adults, and we were kind of joking about that earlier, too.
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It's it's hard to see them as, you know, adults when you know we're used to seeing them as students.
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But I want you to think about what was an opportunity specifically through the Muni that maybe you can recall or think about that had a really big impact on just who you are or your your career or your passion, and then maybe what's something that really surprised you when you started working with the Muni that maybe you didn't even think about or came as a shock?
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Um, I think an experience that really sticks out to me and I hold very dearly to my heart was when I was in rent at Sh the Muni, and I had the opportunity of being in one of the musical numbers that involved mainly the adult ensemble, um, myself and one other Muni youth ensemble.
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Um, we were given the opportunity to dance and be a part of the story um with them and just to experience their energy and their work ethic uh firsthand was really inspiring and it uh gave me insight into what my future could look like in the arts if I continue to work hard and to give it my all and pursue it with my full heart.
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So seeing them and meeting them, and those are even still connections that I have to this day that I really hold dearly to my heart.
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Um another one was also during rent.
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Um, I had the opportunity to have a small solo moment during um one of the scenes.
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It was Vogue, I was voguing, and there was a uh a gurney on stage, and so there's also like a pit on the Muni stage.
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And so between the hospital bed and the pit, there was probably like a foot and a half of space where I had to dance at.
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So it it taught me spatial awareness, and then also um, as Tally was saying earlier, there's 11,000 seats out there.
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So learning the ability to be able to entertain 11,000 seats, all just me myself was an amazing experience that I always think about and remember.
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Yeah.
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I'm laughing because there is a large blown-up photo of her in La Vibo and like right on the wall, right outside of my office that I see every single day.
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Yeah, that's great.
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Was there any moment along with that story that kind of surprised you that you you thought you were going in and you kind of had it all figured out and then something happened?
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Um well, during that scene, actually, we were walking on chairs and tables.
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So um I think what surprised me about that was just everyone's willingness to just go at it full force, knowing that there would be mistakes and that we would have to work out the kinks, but everyone just gave it their all right away and didn't question the vision or the experience, and really it worked out like there were there were no accidents with the chairs and the tables.
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So I'm grateful that all went well.
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Maybe with the cups, maybe not with the cups, and everyone had good balance, obviously.
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We probably figured that out too.
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We have better balance.
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What about you, Joshua?
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For me, it was when I was doing the Muni Kids at the time, I believe it was their hundred, they were celebrating their hundredth season.
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So I ended up, I was able to perform for like their big hundredth season.
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They did like a whole grand show, and it was just so amazing.
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I remember at one of the pieces, at the very end, we did like kick line, and all of a sudden, at the very end, fireworks going off behind.
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I'm like, oh my god, let me lock that game, but this is so cool.
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Fireworks just everywhere, and it was so amazing just seeing like everything just light up, and it was like such a good time, and I can never forget it.
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I would say a time that I really caught me off guard or that surprised me was when they made everything.
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Like the music, like, oh my gosh, there's so much things in there that they make from the pieces they put on the stage, the costumes, even the shoes.
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I remember when I did The Little Mermaid, we all had jazz shoes that matches our little.
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We I was a little guppy, a little fishy.
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So I had a little orange, glittery little camo one piece song, and I had the shoes to match it.
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I think I still got the shoes in my crib.
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I couldn't get rid of it.
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I was like, oh my god, this is so cool.
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I got my own shoe.
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Even when I did uh the when I did the whiz, I was a munchkin.
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We had our own like special uh jumpsuits with the little overalls and our own little wigs, and all the wigs were different, wasn't the same.
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We was little kids, so we would go like, oh my god, y'all, look at the wig.
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But it was just so fun, and just to realize that they really be making everything.
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So yeah, that was very surprising.
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Yeah, and those are really powerful memories, and you're both talking a lot about your artistic training and all the things that you were sort of thrown into when you started working with the Muni that they helped you with, um helped you grow, um, right, and become more successful in your artistic training.
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But talk a little bit about what are some things, because you know, obviously you know you can't just be the best dancer.
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There are other things that come with training and life and other experiences that you need.
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And so, aside from your artistic training, what are some other skills that you feel like were gained when working with the Muni and coming from a performing arts school?
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I would say that I guess there's always something to be done in your craft.
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So even during like, let's say it's close to show weekend, so you have the one big old rehearsal where everybody's there.
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There may be times where there's a certain group going on and you may not be working, but there's something always you can do.
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So you don't have to just sit there talking.
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You can get up, go over some dances, go over your lines.
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If you have lines, go over the music, kind of get it to your body.
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You don't want to become complacent with it.
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You always want to better yourself, even during the process of bettering yourself.
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I do say I take that with me because even in school, if I feel like let's say I'm doing a test, I get done, let me work on something that let me keep myself focused while I'm here.
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And even if I'm not there outside of it, keep that training still.
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Cause I believe that you should always be prepared, so y'all should have to prep for it.
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So leading up to the shows, even if I had like late rehearsals, maybe I'll find a dance class, I can go into clock-in, lock in, do what I have to do to keep my body in shape.
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Number one, because health for a dancer or any athlete really is important.
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So you don't want to ever slack on that because that will show up.
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But yeah, just making sure, like telling yourself like you can always do something to better yourself for your craft.
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Yeah, I love the fact that you just said trying to better yourself even through the process of bettering yourself.
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That's pretty profound.
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If you really think about it, yeah.
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And so just a strong work ethic, yeah, too.
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Yeah, really speaks volumes because a lot of students don't come out of high school without work ethic, right?
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They're just kind of sitting around waiting for someone to tell them what to do or how to do it.
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That's you know, sort of what we do with students, but you're really feeling like that, getting that extra confidence and that work ethic through the Muni program and GCAA.
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What about you?
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Um, aside from the artistic skills, I think that it taught me professionalism and time management.
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Um being around people who do musical theater or are involved in the arts as their full-time career and seeing the way that they carry themselves in the space, or even just the idea of having such a short time to put up a show and having to really hone in on all of the specific details in such a short amount of time, um, as well as preparing yourself and doing what it is that you have to do away from the space so that when you come back you are ready and prepared and better than it was the time before.
00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:35.440
I carry that with me through life as well, because there are opportunities and times where you don't have everything explained to you or given to you, and you have to kind of figure out the blank spaces for yourself.
00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.359
So I think that that prepared me very well.
00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.680
Yeah, that's really great too, just that maturity.
00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:42.000
Yeah, you had to become mature, right?
00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.440
Yeah, that's awesome.
00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:50.160
Okay, so we're talking about tons of great things that both of our guests, our student prior student guests, have to share about the Muni.
00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:53.599
So I know there are probably people listening saying, Okay, this is amazing.
00:19:54.400 --> 00:20:02.559
I want my students or my own children, or maybe they're even thinking about themselves getting involved in some partnership with the Muni.
00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:09.359
So, Ty, tell us a little bit about how students and families that are hearing about these programs, how can they get involved?
00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:17.039
What are some first steps that either schools or students or families can take to really get involved with the Muni?
00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:23.519
Yeah, and I think that for individuals, I mean, I think the first step is our always our website.
00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:30.720
Um anytime we have applications open or registrations open for activities, that's always through social media.
00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:37.119
But our website gives a lot of detail about each program and how you can become involved.
00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:40.400
Um but yeah, each program is different.
00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:48.079
So we have education classes in the fall that you can register for, T3 is in the spring, we have auditions for kids and teens in January.
00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:50.319
So everything is very, very different.
00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:56.960
Um, but the website offers all of that information, which is Muni.org and then it's backslash education.
00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:02.160
Um but that's really how you can find out because everything's kind of on a different calendar.
00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:07.039
But the only thing that you have to apply for really is is the technical theater training program.
00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:15.519
Um, the classes, the classes that aren't just for the kids and teens, the classes that are open to the pro public are truly open to everyone.
00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:21.680
Um and then obviously to to be in a show or to be cast is all audition-based.
00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:21.920
Yeah.
00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:36.559
And I'm assuming that there are other opportunities for students because I know that we're sitting here with two performers that were actually on the stage, but talk a little bit about some other opportunities for for students or for folks that might want to do things behind the stage.
00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.000
Maybe they don't want to be on the stage.
00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.720
Are there opportunities for that as well?
00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:53.119
Well, I think for for young people, for high school students, I think our technical theater training program is probably the best option for students who who want to do something off of uh in the backstage area.
00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:59.759
Um we for a lot of high school seniors or juniors that are wanting to do service hours or are wanting to come observe.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:02.160
Or shadow, we have those opportunities.
00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:11.680
But really, the true opportunity for to really learn about offstage opportunities is through our intern program.
00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.359
And that's really for our college students.
00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:28.640
And we have intern opportunities in every single department on campus, which is administrative, which is offstage, which is technical design, and then obviously performance-based as well as in directing and music directing and all of that.
00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:38.559
But it's anything from video design to lighting to stage management to costumes, wigs, every every department that we have has internships available.
00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:44.160
So that's really the best pre-professional training that we have in that, in that way.
00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.480
Yeah.
00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:59.680
Just hearing you talk about all those different pieces, it does make your mind, you know, because when you think of the Muni or performing art school, you forget about all those wardrobe and sets and design and lights and technology and all these things.
00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.759
It's just like such a big production, right?
00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:04.799
Like no pun intended, but it's it's a big production.
00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:23.519
Um, okay, so just to kind of close out a little bit, if there are other students that are really thinking about the Muni, they're thinking about going into this professionally, what um, Dekyla and Joshua, what advice would you give students that are contemplating this?
00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:26.799
Um, how would you suggest that they move forward?
00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:35.279
I would say that, and this is something that I've been told before, you miss 100% of the shots that you do not make.
00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:43.519
Um, if you're thinking about auditioning and you're either nervous or overthinking, um, I would say give it a shot.
00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:46.640
You really never know where it might take you.
00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:48.319
And no doesn't mean no forever.
00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:50.000
No could just mean no now.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:55.039
And it's very important to remember that whatever is for you is for you.
00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.960
It will never pass you up.
00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:05.599
And opportunities that shape who you are as a person are just so important.
00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:08.240
And I think the Muni was definitely that for me.
00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:18.559
It shaped me and it it gave me an insight into what my future could look like, and it it gave me a safe space to explore my creativity and my artistry.
00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:26.960
So if you are thinking about it, you should definitely, definitely do it because it gave me a family as well that I didn't know that I would be getting as well.
00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:27.759
That's great.
00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.039
Joshua, what about you?
00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.599
Uh I would say definitely go for it.
00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:35.920
I would say if you feel like you may not be titled or don't have the confidence, then prepare.
00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.720
Prep for it.
00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:39.680
If you feel like, dang, I I don't got the best dance skills.
00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.599
Find them dance classes you can get in.
00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:44.880
Do the dance class, you know, practice and be patient.
00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:49.839
Because I will say you may do two weeks of dance classes leading up to an audition you may want to take.
00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:52.400
And you may not get in, but that's where the patience kicks.
00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:57.279
You gotta realize I did put the hard work behind it, so I know my work wasn't for nothing.
00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:59.920
So you gotta tell yourself, I'm gonna try again and go harder.
00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:05.039
If you feel like, eh, I kind of slacked a little bit here, do it ten times harder next time you go through it.
00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:09.359
But just always remember that there's nothing you can do when you put your time into it.
00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:13.440
Trust me, if you keep every day, if you keep stretching, you're gonna be flexible.
00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.559
That's right.
00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:20.559
You can't stop, you can't stop the process when you put the time and patience into it.
00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:25.359
So yeah, any youth out there, teens, people in college, go for it.
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:32.640
Say, if you feel like you just don't think you have it in you, practice, prepare for it, because you you're gonna get there eventually, and eventually will come.
00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.160
I cannot add to that.
00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.960
What were you thinking?
00:25:49.519 --> 00:26:29.920
Um adding to what Josh said as well with the preparation, I think that when if the arts is something that you're interested in and you see yourself doing it in the future, being at the Muni prepares you as well for those moments that when you audition as an adult, because the audition process is it's in it's it's created to give you a wide range of artistry from your dance to your singing to your acting, and being able to prepare for when you are an adult in the room doing that, and not doing that as an adult for the first time.
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:50.559
Experiencing it as a child first or as a kid or as a teen first, and then experiencing what you can change or what works for you, what doesn't work for you, what is your strong suits, what areas you need to work on so that when you are in the future or an adult like us now, you have those prior experiences to be able to take with you.
00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:54.079
And they really do stick with you, they they hold a special place in my heart.
00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.799
Yeah, yeah.
00:26:54.960 --> 00:27:00.559
Well, so speaking of experiences that have gotten you to where you are, what are you both doing now?
00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:07.599
So, right now, I am currently working two jobs, getting ready for uh college.
00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.319
I am actually got accepted to Webster University.
00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:13.440
So I'm going back to college to dance.
00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:17.359
Got a I actually did the audition like two weeks ago, the BFA program.
00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.720
So I'm glad to do that.
00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:24.799
Right now, I've been so after I graduated, I kind of been exploring honestly St.
00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:28.400
Louis, kind of get into a lot of things, a lot of small dance gigs.
00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:36.720
But some of the big things that I've done in the past two years is I've had a chance to open it up for uh Gwen Stefani in Minneapolis.
00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:44.400
They had like this big old Best Buy conference, and they asked a friend of mine, Elton, who he's a young artist, a teen artist.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.759
His name is El Tram.
00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:48.400
And he asked me, Yo, I need some dancers.
00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.200
You got me?
00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:52.960
So me and a friend of mine named Mitchell, we said, Yeah, let's do it.
00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.240
So we ended up going there.
00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.599
We had the best time ever.
00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.200
Everything was paid for in advance.
00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:59.279
All we had to do was get there and dance.
00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:01.039
And there's nothing better than that experience.
00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:01.680
I'll tell you that.
00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:05.920
Um say, yeah, just traveling honestly around St.
00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:09.119
Louis, very local, doing a lot of things, kind of getting that exposure.
00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:20.400
Say, really, it's helping me to kind of I've always been like an outgoing person, like with a lot of confidence, nothing stopping me, but it's really letting me like see how much there really is out there, especially in St.
00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:20.960
Louis.
00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:26.960
Like I know a lot of people want to get away from it, but until you get away, get all you can from it, though.
00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:29.440
Because there's a lot it has to offer just within the city.
00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:31.039
Like you don't have to go far.
00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:34.880
Like if you go up the street, you'll end up going to uh what's that dance studio?
00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.200
St.
00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.000
Louis Dance Theater.
00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.720
It's right there.
00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:41.359
They have open classes, something to get into, and they're they're out there, trust, they're very known.
00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:50.880
So Yeah, doing that really just really helping me to realize while I'm here, there's still much I can gain from you before I branch out and go somewhere else with it.
00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.839
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.119
And Dekila, what are you doing?
00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.160
You're doing some dancing, aren't you?
00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.200
Yes, I am.
00:28:55.359 --> 00:29:02.319
Um, I have been here as well as in Atlanta, traveling for work, um, dancing full time.
00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:09.680
It's my career now, which I am so thankful and blessed to be dancing and uh performing full time.
00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:15.920
Um I did the Queens of RB tour with SWV and Escape.
00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:36.400
Um, and that was like another time where I'm like re-reminiscing over the Muni because arena stages are also very large and um being prepared, like we said, that was an um amazing, amazing experience for me, um, as well as choreographing and teaching as well now.
00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:54.319
Um, as I said earlier when we were talking, I did not imagine myself being the person at the front of the room or the person creating the vision or the steps, but the first time I got an opportunity to do that, um it was up from there and I just enjoyed it so much.
00:29:54.400 --> 00:30:10.400
Um I've choreographed um Anastasia with Fly North Company, as well as um She Kills Monsters as a main stage performance at um Coca Center of Creative Arts and just teaching in the area and continuing to dance.
00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:18.160
I really, really, really have very big aspirations and feel like I've only hit the tip of the iceberg for my career.
00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:31.039
So I'm just excited to see where it goes and pray that I am on Broadway stages and even bigger arenas and just being able to touch people with my passion and my art.
00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.839
Yeah.
00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:40.240
Well, we are all so proud of you, and I know everyone um from the Muni and in your lives are so proud of you, and we just wish you nothing but the best.
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:43.839
And we have no doubt that both of you are gonna be very successful.
00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:49.519
And you know, we might be sitting back and see you on the big screen someday dancing, you know, and we can say hey.
00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:54.880
But Dekila Epps, thank you so much.
00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:57.039
Joshua Bruton, thank you so much.
00:30:57.200 --> 00:31:01.599
It was such a pleasure um getting just to sit down and have this conversation with you.
00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:09.440
Um, Tali Allen, Director of Education for the Muni, thank you so much for also sitting down and talking about the partnership again.
00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:15.759
Um, as uh Tali said, you can find all the information on the Muni website and on their social media pages.
00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:19.759
And um, once you go through that process, I'm sure she's open to any questions.
00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:23.759
Her contact information is available as well on the Muni website.
00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:29.200
So thank you all for sharing your experiences, your passion, and your commitment to helping young people succeed in the arts.
00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:33.839
We are really um just blessed that you were here with us today, and we wish you all nothing but the best.
00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:38.160
And thank you to our listeners for joining us for Confluence Conversations.
00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:50.799
Be sure to follow, share, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a conversation about the partnerships and programs shaping student success across Confluence Academies.
00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:22.320
Welcome to Confluence Conversations, where we explore the partnerships, programs, and experiences that elevate student success across Confluence Academies.
00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:34.960
I'm your host, Christy Hoole, Head of School at Grand Center Arts Academy, and today we're talking about the power of arts education and the opportunities available to young performers and creatives through the Muni.
00:00:35.520 --> 00:00:45.280
For generations, the Muni has helped students discover their talents, develop new skills, and gain experiences that can shape their futures both on and off the stage.
00:00:45.520 --> 00:00:47.520
So I want to introduce our guest today.
00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:52.560
Joining us is Tally Allen, Director of Education for the Muni.
00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:53.200
Welcome.
00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:53.920
Thank you.
00:00:54.159 --> 00:01:09.680
We also have Dekila Epps, a Grand Center Arts Academy alumni who has performed as part of the Muni's Youth Ensemble, and Joshua Bruton, another Grand Center Arts Academy alum and former Muni kid.
00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:10.799
Welcome, everyone.
00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:11.439
Thank you.
00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:12.159
Thank you.
00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:14.000
It is so great to be here.
00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:35.120
And obviously, as the head of school at Grand Center Arts Academy, this conversation is obviously very important to me because this is the commitment that we make at Grand Center Arts Academy is to have strong partnerships and to work with students to make sure that they are really having a chance to have all kinds of opportunities in their pathway.
00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:39.439
And you were both dance pathway students when you attended Grand Center Arts Academy, correct?
00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:40.159
Yes.
00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:42.560
Okay, so that's really important, right?
00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:44.159
To have that experience.
00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:46.400
So, Tali, let me just start with you.
00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:51.519
Why do you think arts education remains such an important part of the Muni's mission?
00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.799
And talk to us a little bit about what the mission of the Muni actually is.
00:01:55.120 --> 00:02:11.759
Well, yeah, I think it's it's probably one of the key components in our mission, which is um to ensure that musical theater is is um accessible and enriching to all, um which obviously education does that for us.
00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:19.840
And um all of our programming, uh, most of our program, I believe 95% of our programming is free.
00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:24.800
Um and so it gives us complete access to the community.
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Um we create like evolving programming that's kind of need-based in the community so that we're not confined to just one thing at all at all the time.
00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:40.080
Um so I think that supports the mission in a much stronger way.
00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:43.919
And what makes you, you know, there's a lot of partnerships throughout St.
00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:44.319
Louis.
00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:48.080
Obviously, Grand Center Arts Academy is located in the heart of the arts district.
00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:51.360
So there's a lot of opportunities and partnerships for our students.
00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:54.000
What makes the Munis the most unique?
00:02:54.319 --> 00:03:00.639
Uh I think, well, clearly it's the probably the professional performance experience that they get.
00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:09.439
Um I mean, they have the opportunity, well, the performers have the opportunity to perform for 11,000 people, which I don't think really there's not many opportunities like that in the country.
00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:16.000
Um, and then like I said, our programming, a lot of the educational programming, not just in St.
00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:26.319
Louis, but in any theater organization, is really donor-based or in meet fundraising based, um, and ours isn't.
00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:38.639
And so we're able to constantly change and constantly evolve and restructure our programming according to like what the community needs, what our students need.
00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:49.840
Um, if we run something and it's and it meets the need and it serves its purpose, then we can change it midstream or within the next year to tweak it however they need it.
00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:53.120
So we're never confined or restricted to just one thing.
00:03:53.199 --> 00:04:05.120
Um, we're always changing and evolving and making the necessary adjustments that a lot of organizations aren't able to do just because of the grants that are required or the funding that's required.
00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:06.800
And that's really important, right?
00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:12.000
And just kind of as you're talking, I'm thinking about like how things just change and progress.
00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:18.160
Um, and you being flexible and adapting to that is obviously something that's made you as successful as you are as an organization.
00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:30.720
Yeah, it's and it's a huge blessing, obviously for us, um, that we can always be able to kind of be in touch, obviously with the kids, but but with the schools, with any of our partners, we're like, well, what do you need?
00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:31.839
How can we help?
00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:36.399
How can we more of a true partnership unless like here's what we're gonna give you, and then you just have to apply it.
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Well, this this contract that we signed says that we have to do this specific thing with this specific group.
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You know, it we can broaden our reach, and that's the most important thing.
00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:46.399
That is so great.
00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:49.040
So I want to talk to our former students.
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Um, almost just said kids, but you're adults.
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I call them kids.
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Yeah, I know, I know.
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Um, so Joshua and um Dekyla, what first sparked your your passion, right?
00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:09.120
Because we were talking about this a little bit before we even started recording about sort of how we got into what our passion is and and what you're doing.
00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:14.079
And so, really, from both of you, I'm really interested in what got you interested in the arts.
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:16.480
I guess we'll go first.
00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:20.240
Um, I will always say that I always wanted to dance.
00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:23.439
So even as a kid, I just always wanted to move.
00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:27.439
And by the time I hit middle school, I was dancing at Coca.
00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:33.839
And a teacher there, Miss Ann Slinger, you may know her, she does a lot of productions, especially the musical field.
00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.800
She reached out to me and said that I should audition for the Muni.
00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:38.319
And I was like, what is that?
00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:39.199
Never heard of it.
00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:44.079
Ended up auditioning my first year, and that's how I did The Little Mermaid.
00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.160
It was the best experience of my life.
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And while doing The Mermaid, I realized that there are times where before shows there'd be kids who perform.
00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:54.160
And I was wondering, like, what is that?
00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:54.800
What are they doing?
00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:58.079
I found out they're the Muni kids, and I was like, I gotta try it for that next year.
00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:04.160
Auditioned for it, got in, ended up doing The Wiz that year, which was also a fun experience.
00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:07.279
And from there, kind of just shot off from there.
00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:18.160
Fell in love with musicals, constantly want to do it, say, wanna put myself in more workshops to get used to like how they run, how they do their auditions, and kind of just go for it, honestly.
00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:19.279
That's awesome.
00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:20.399
And what about you?
00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:23.199
For me, um, it all started uh at church.
00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:25.040
I praise danced growing up.
00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:28.800
Uh I remember sitting in the pews and being like, I want to do that.
00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:30.639
And my parents were like, okay.
00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:34.160
And so I signed up for it and I did that for a while.
00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:42.079
Then after praise dancing, I realized that it was a deeper passion for me and that I wanted to explore it on a bigger level.
00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:46.959
So from there I was actually invited to see The Lion King at Coca.
00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:52.480
And watching that show, I just remember the feeling that I had.
00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:59.360
It was really pivotal for me in my experience as a young person seeing art on stage.
00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:02.240
And I remember telling my mom, like, I want to be up there.
00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:08.399
Like it, I I had a feeling that I was supposed to be on the stage versus in the audience.
00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:18.000
So from there I went and started to do, um, I joined the DYA program and I did workshops like how to dance LLC with Mari Watson and Dr.
00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:21.120
Phil Woodmore, who actually introduced me to the Muni.
00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:24.560
He was the person who told me you should audition for the Muni.
00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:26.720
I had no clue what it was at that time.
00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:29.439
And I said, okay, and I gave it a try.
00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:37.199
And um my first production was actually The Whiz at COCOCA with Ron Himes and Dr.
00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.079
Phil.
00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:44.720
And being in that production just made me realize that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.
00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:50.319
This is my passion, and the community that was revolved around it was amazing.
00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:50.879
Yeah.
00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:58.560
So it sounds, Tally, like both of these young people have been involved with different programs through the Muni.
00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:01.519
And I know that you offer several other programs too.
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:04.399
You know, Joshua talked about being a Muni kid.
00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:08.079
Um, Dekailo was talking about being part of the youth ensemble.
00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:12.560
And I know you also have Muni Kids, Muni Teens, Muni Summer Intensive.
00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:16.800
So give us a little bit of information about all the different programs that the Muni offers.
00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:20.000
Yeah, well, like I said, they're they're constantly changing.
00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:24.240
Um, but right now we're running obviously Kids and Teens are our flagship program.
00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.879
Um, they've been around for over 30 years.
00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:54.480
Um, and then we have our T3 program, which is our technical theater training program, and that is for high school sophomore through seniors, um, and they'll come in for four to five Saturdays, typically in the spring, and work with our artisans, our craftsmen, our stage hands, and learn how to build a set, paint um electrics, sorry, electrics, lighting, all kinds of things like that.
00:08:54.639 --> 00:09:02.960
Um, and we'll partner with a community theater in town, and they will design and build their set for them.
00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:08.320
Um, so it's free for the student, but it's also free to the community theater that will build their set for them.
00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:13.440
So it's kind of like a double partnership, but it's great for both sides.
00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:18.879
Um, and it hopefully it'll foster relationships with those students with the theater.
00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:31.759
Um, the students will also gain skills that they can take back to their schools and hopefully rebuild or or broaden and further develop their technical theater programs at their schools.
00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:41.360
Um, and we also have an opportunity for them to hopefully maybe join some of our unions and then work on the Muni lot at, you know, once they reach adulthood.
00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:42.159
Yeah.
00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:57.679
I love the fact that you mentioned, sorry, I love the fact that you mentioned that the students are bringing back what they're learning at the Muni to whether it's Grand Center Arts Academy or, you know, I know you work with other schools and other organizations with adolescents across St.
00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:08.159
Louis, but especially for Grand Center Arts Academy, it's important that the Muni, it is a really a true partnership where students like Dekaila and Joshua are bringing back.
00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:20.799
And then it's also a probably a great recruitment tool for the Muni because you have these, you know, students coming back and showing their excitement for what they're doing, which leads to conversations with other dance pathway students as well.
00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:26.399
We have theater pathway, you know, music pathway, all things that um are part of the Muni.
00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:31.840
And so I think that's just an incredible partnership between the Muni, um, and it really is a true partnership.
00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:36.639
And so well, what's great when they both talked about the teachers that influenced them.
00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:37.279
You know, Mrs.
00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:42.480
Onslinger was a Muni teen and has worked there consistently.
00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:43.440
Yeah, she's amazing.
00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:47.200
And has choreographed for us recently, um, and then Dr.
00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.879
Phil worked with the Muni kids.
00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:57.840
So that relationship in the community with mentors and teachers also help kind of helps foster and does its own recruiting for us.
00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:09.120
And they have these people, these experienced artists in the classroom with them that you know, very we're so grateful that they send them to us and that we partner with them as well.
00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.799
Of like, what kids do you have?
00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:11.759
How can we help them?
00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:16.240
And we've had Grand Center students in the T3 program that have had great success.
00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:18.720
So we we really, really enjoy it.
00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.440
Yeah.
00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:26.320
So I would love to hear from the students or the former students, not students anymore, right?
00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:30.480
They're all you know adults, and we were kind of joking about that earlier, too.
00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.960
It's it's hard to see them as, you know, adults when you know we're used to seeing them as students.
00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:56.399
But I want you to think about what was an opportunity specifically through the Muni that maybe you can recall or think about that had a really big impact on just who you are or your your career or your passion, and then maybe what's something that really surprised you when you started working with the Muni that maybe you didn't even think about or came as a shock?
00:11:57.360 --> 00:12:18.639
Um, I think an experience that really sticks out to me and I hold very dearly to my heart was when I was in rent at Sh the Muni, and I had the opportunity of being in one of the musical numbers that involved mainly the adult ensemble, um, myself and one other Muni youth ensemble.
00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:43.440
Um, we were given the opportunity to dance and be a part of the story um with them and just to experience their energy and their work ethic uh firsthand was really inspiring and it uh gave me insight into what my future could look like in the arts if I continue to work hard and to give it my all and pursue it with my full heart.
00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:50.559
So seeing them and meeting them, and those are even still connections that I have to this day that I really hold dearly to my heart.
00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:53.279
Um another one was also during rent.
00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:59.759
Um, I had the opportunity to have a small solo moment during um one of the scenes.
00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:09.840
It was Vogue, I was voguing, and there was a uh a gurney on stage, and so there's also like a pit on the Muni stage.
00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:19.360
And so between the hospital bed and the pit, there was probably like a foot and a half of space where I had to dance at.
00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:26.720
So it it taught me spatial awareness, and then also um, as Tally was saying earlier, there's 11,000 seats out there.
00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:38.080
So learning the ability to be able to entertain 11,000 seats, all just me myself was an amazing experience that I always think about and remember.
00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:38.559
Yeah.
00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:50.879
I'm laughing because there is a large blown-up photo of her in La Vibo and like right on the wall, right outside of my office that I see every single day.
00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.279
Yeah, that's great.
00:13:53.440 --> 00:14:01.440
Was there any moment along with that story that kind of surprised you that you you thought you were going in and you kind of had it all figured out and then something happened?
00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:07.759
Um well, during that scene, actually, we were walking on chairs and tables.
00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:33.840
So um I think what surprised me about that was just everyone's willingness to just go at it full force, knowing that there would be mistakes and that we would have to work out the kinks, but everyone just gave it their all right away and didn't question the vision or the experience, and really it worked out like there were there were no accidents with the chairs and the tables.
00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:36.240
So I'm grateful that all went well.
00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:40.720
Maybe with the cups, maybe not with the cups, and everyone had good balance, obviously.
00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:42.240
We probably figured that out too.
00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:43.279
We have better balance.
00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.559
What about you, Joshua?
00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:51.840
For me, it was when I was doing the Muni Kids at the time, I believe it was their hundred, they were celebrating their hundredth season.
00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:55.919
So I ended up, I was able to perform for like their big hundredth season.
00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:59.200
They did like a whole grand show, and it was just so amazing.
00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:08.480
I remember at one of the pieces, at the very end, we did like kick line, and all of a sudden, at the very end, fireworks going off behind.
00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:12.480
I'm like, oh my god, let me lock that game, but this is so cool.
00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:20.399
Fireworks just everywhere, and it was so amazing just seeing like everything just light up, and it was like such a good time, and I can never forget it.
00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:26.720
I would say a time that I really caught me off guard or that surprised me was when they made everything.
00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:35.679
Like the music, like, oh my gosh, there's so much things in there that they make from the pieces they put on the stage, the costumes, even the shoes.
00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:40.159
I remember when I did The Little Mermaid, we all had jazz shoes that matches our little.
00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:42.320
We I was a little guppy, a little fishy.
00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:48.240
So I had a little orange, glittery little camo one piece song, and I had the shoes to match it.
00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.919
I think I still got the shoes in my crib.
00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.360
I couldn't get rid of it.
00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.960
I was like, oh my god, this is so cool.
00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.159
I got my own shoe.
00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:58.799
Even when I did uh the when I did the whiz, I was a munchkin.
00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:05.759
We had our own like special uh jumpsuits with the little overalls and our own little wigs, and all the wigs were different, wasn't the same.
00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:09.759
We was little kids, so we would go like, oh my god, y'all, look at the wig.
00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:13.759
But it was just so fun, and just to realize that they really be making everything.
00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:16.159
So yeah, that was very surprising.
00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:32.559
Yeah, and those are really powerful memories, and you're both talking a lot about your artistic training and all the things that you were sort of thrown into when you started working with the Muni that they helped you with, um helped you grow, um, right, and become more successful in your artistic training.
00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:38.639
But talk a little bit about what are some things, because you know, obviously you know you can't just be the best dancer.
00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:44.639
There are other things that come with training and life and other experiences that you need.
00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:55.279
And so, aside from your artistic training, what are some other skills that you feel like were gained when working with the Muni and coming from a performing arts school?
00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:02.720
I would say that I guess there's always something to be done in your craft.
00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:09.440
So even during like, let's say it's close to show weekend, so you have the one big old rehearsal where everybody's there.
00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:15.119
There may be times where there's a certain group going on and you may not be working, but there's something always you can do.
00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:17.200
So you don't have to just sit there talking.
00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:19.839
You can get up, go over some dances, go over your lines.
00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:22.720
If you have lines, go over the music, kind of get it to your body.
00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.799
You don't want to become complacent with it.
00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:28.960
You always want to better yourself, even during the process of bettering yourself.
00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:38.400
I do say I take that with me because even in school, if I feel like let's say I'm doing a test, I get done, let me work on something that let me keep myself focused while I'm here.
00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:41.680
And even if I'm not there outside of it, keep that training still.
00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:46.240
Cause I believe that you should always be prepared, so y'all should have to prep for it.
00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:55.039
So leading up to the shows, even if I had like late rehearsals, maybe I'll find a dance class, I can go into clock-in, lock in, do what I have to do to keep my body in shape.
00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:59.359
Number one, because health for a dancer or any athlete really is important.
00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:02.240
So you don't want to ever slack on that because that will show up.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:07.119
But yeah, just making sure, like telling yourself like you can always do something to better yourself for your craft.
00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:13.200
Yeah, I love the fact that you just said trying to better yourself even through the process of bettering yourself.
00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.960
That's pretty profound.
00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.480
If you really think about it, yeah.
00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.880
And so just a strong work ethic, yeah, too.
00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:24.480
Yeah, really speaks volumes because a lot of students don't come out of high school without work ethic, right?
00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:28.640
They're just kind of sitting around waiting for someone to tell them what to do or how to do it.
00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:37.519
That's you know, sort of what we do with students, but you're really feeling like that, getting that extra confidence and that work ethic through the Muni program and GCAA.
00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.480
What about you?
00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:46.240
Um, aside from the artistic skills, I think that it taught me professionalism and time management.
00:18:46.480 --> 00:19:22.960
Um being around people who do musical theater or are involved in the arts as their full-time career and seeing the way that they carry themselves in the space, or even just the idea of having such a short time to put up a show and having to really hone in on all of the specific details in such a short amount of time, um, as well as preparing yourself and doing what it is that you have to do away from the space so that when you come back you are ready and prepared and better than it was the time before.
00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:35.440
I carry that with me through life as well, because there are opportunities and times where you don't have everything explained to you or given to you, and you have to kind of figure out the blank spaces for yourself.
00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.359
So I think that that prepared me very well.
00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.680
Yeah, that's really great too, just that maturity.
00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:42.000
Yeah, you had to become mature, right?
00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.440
Yeah, that's awesome.
00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:50.160
Okay, so we're talking about tons of great things that both of our guests, our student prior student guests, have to share about the Muni.
00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:53.599
So I know there are probably people listening saying, Okay, this is amazing.
00:19:54.400 --> 00:20:02.559
I want my students or my own children, or maybe they're even thinking about themselves getting involved in some partnership with the Muni.
00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:09.359
So, Ty, tell us a little bit about how students and families that are hearing about these programs, how can they get involved?
00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:17.039
What are some first steps that either schools or students or families can take to really get involved with the Muni?
00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:23.519
Yeah, and I think that for individuals, I mean, I think the first step is our always our website.
00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:30.720
Um anytime we have applications open or registrations open for activities, that's always through social media.
00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:37.119
But our website gives a lot of detail about each program and how you can become involved.
00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:40.400
Um but yeah, each program is different.
00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:48.079
So we have education classes in the fall that you can register for, T3 is in the spring, we have auditions for kids and teens in January.
00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:50.319
So everything is very, very different.
00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:56.960
Um, but the website offers all of that information, which is Muni.org and then it's backslash education.
00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:02.160
Um but that's really how you can find out because everything's kind of on a different calendar.
00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:07.039
But the only thing that you have to apply for really is is the technical theater training program.
00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:15.519
Um, the classes, the classes that aren't just for the kids and teens, the classes that are open to the pro public are truly open to everyone.
00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:21.680
Um and then obviously to to be in a show or to be cast is all audition-based.
00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:21.920
Yeah.
00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:36.559
And I'm assuming that there are other opportunities for students because I know that we're sitting here with two performers that were actually on the stage, but talk a little bit about some other opportunities for for students or for folks that might want to do things behind the stage.
00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.000
Maybe they don't want to be on the stage.
00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.720
Are there opportunities for that as well?
00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:53.119
Well, I think for for young people, for high school students, I think our technical theater training program is probably the best option for students who who want to do something off of uh in the backstage area.
00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:59.759
Um we for a lot of high school seniors or juniors that are wanting to do service hours or are wanting to come observe.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:02.160
Or shadow, we have those opportunities.
00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:11.680
But really, the true opportunity for to really learn about offstage opportunities is through our intern program.
00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.359
And that's really for our college students.
00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:28.640
And we have intern opportunities in every single department on campus, which is administrative, which is offstage, which is technical design, and then obviously performance-based as well as in directing and music directing and all of that.
00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:38.559
But it's anything from video design to lighting to stage management to costumes, wigs, every every department that we have has internships available.
00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:44.160
So that's really the best pre-professional training that we have in that, in that way.
00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.480
Yeah.
00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:59.680
Just hearing you talk about all those different pieces, it does make your mind, you know, because when you think of the Muni or performing art school, you forget about all those wardrobe and sets and design and lights and technology and all these things.
00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.759
It's just like such a big production, right?
00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:04.799
Like no pun intended, but it's it's a big production.
00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:23.519
Um, okay, so just to kind of close out a little bit, if there are other students that are really thinking about the Muni, they're thinking about going into this professionally, what um, Dekyla and Joshua, what advice would you give students that are contemplating this?
00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:26.799
Um, how would you suggest that they move forward?
00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:35.279
I would say that, and this is something that I've been told before, you miss 100% of the shots that you do not make.
00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:43.519
Um, if you're thinking about auditioning and you're either nervous or overthinking, um, I would say give it a shot.
00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:46.640
You really never know where it might take you.
00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:48.319
And no doesn't mean no forever.
00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:50.000
No could just mean no now.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:55.039
And it's very important to remember that whatever is for you is for you.
00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.960
It will never pass you up.
00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:05.599
And opportunities that shape who you are as a person are just so important.
00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:08.240
And I think the Muni was definitely that for me.
00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:18.559
It shaped me and it it gave me an insight into what my future could look like, and it it gave me a safe space to explore my creativity and my artistry.
00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:26.960
So if you are thinking about it, you should definitely, definitely do it because it gave me a family as well that I didn't know that I would be getting as well.
00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:27.759
That's great.
00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.039
Joshua, what about you?
00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.599
Uh I would say definitely go for it.
00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:35.920
I would say if you feel like you may not be titled or don't have the confidence, then prepare.
00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.720
Prep for it.
00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:39.680
If you feel like, dang, I I don't got the best dance skills.
00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.599
Find them dance classes you can get in.
00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:44.880
Do the dance class, you know, practice and be patient.
00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:49.839
Because I will say you may do two weeks of dance classes leading up to an audition you may want to take.
00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:52.400
And you may not get in, but that's where the patience kicks.
00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:57.279
You gotta realize I did put the hard work behind it, so I know my work wasn't for nothing.
00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:59.920
So you gotta tell yourself, I'm gonna try again and go harder.
00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:05.039
If you feel like, eh, I kind of slacked a little bit here, do it ten times harder next time you go through it.
00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:09.359
But just always remember that there's nothing you can do when you put your time into it.
00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:13.440
Trust me, if you keep every day, if you keep stretching, you're gonna be flexible.
00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.559
That's right.
00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:20.559
You can't stop, you can't stop the process when you put the time and patience into it.
00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:25.359
So yeah, any youth out there, teens, people in college, go for it.
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:32.640
Say, if you feel like you just don't think you have it in you, practice, prepare for it, because you you're gonna get there eventually, and eventually will come.
00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.160
I cannot add to that.
00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.960
What were you thinking?
00:25:49.519 --> 00:26:29.920
Um adding to what Josh said as well with the preparation, I think that when if the arts is something that you're interested in and you see yourself doing it in the future, being at the Muni prepares you as well for those moments that when you audition as an adult, because the audition process is it's in it's it's created to give you a wide range of artistry from your dance to your singing to your acting, and being able to prepare for when you are an adult in the room doing that, and not doing that as an adult for the first time.
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:50.559
Experiencing it as a child first or as a kid or as a teen first, and then experiencing what you can change or what works for you, what doesn't work for you, what is your strong suits, what areas you need to work on so that when you are in the future or an adult like us now, you have those prior experiences to be able to take with you.
00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:54.079
And they really do stick with you, they they hold a special place in my heart.
00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.799
Yeah, yeah.
00:26:54.960 --> 00:27:00.559
Well, so speaking of experiences that have gotten you to where you are, what are you both doing now?
00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:07.599
So, right now, I am currently working two jobs, getting ready for uh college.
00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.319
I am actually got accepted to Webster University.
00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:13.440
So I'm going back to college to dance.
00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:17.359
Got a I actually did the audition like two weeks ago, the BFA program.
00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.720
So I'm glad to do that.
00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:24.799
Right now, I've been so after I graduated, I kind of been exploring honestly St.
00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:28.400
Louis, kind of get into a lot of things, a lot of small dance gigs.
00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:36.720
But some of the big things that I've done in the past two years is I've had a chance to open it up for uh Gwen Stefani in Minneapolis.
00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:44.400
They had like this big old Best Buy conference, and they asked a friend of mine, Elton, who he's a young artist, a teen artist.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.759
His name is El Tram.
00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:48.400
And he asked me, Yo, I need some dancers.
00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.200
You got me?
00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:52.960
So me and a friend of mine named Mitchell, we said, Yeah, let's do it.
00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.240
So we ended up going there.
00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.599
We had the best time ever.
00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.200
Everything was paid for in advance.
00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:59.279
All we had to do was get there and dance.
00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:01.039
And there's nothing better than that experience.
00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:01.680
I'll tell you that.
00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:05.920
Um say, yeah, just traveling honestly around St.
00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:09.119
Louis, very local, doing a lot of things, kind of getting that exposure.
00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:20.400
Say, really, it's helping me to kind of I've always been like an outgoing person, like with a lot of confidence, nothing stopping me, but it's really letting me like see how much there really is out there, especially in St.
00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:20.960
Louis.
00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:26.960
Like I know a lot of people want to get away from it, but until you get away, get all you can from it, though.
00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:29.440
Because there's a lot it has to offer just within the city.
00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:31.039
Like you don't have to go far.
00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:34.880
Like if you go up the street, you'll end up going to uh what's that dance studio?
00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.200
St.
00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.000
Louis Dance Theater.
00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.720
It's right there.
00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:41.359
They have open classes, something to get into, and they're they're out there, trust, they're very known.
00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:50.880
So Yeah, doing that really just really helping me to realize while I'm here, there's still much I can gain from you before I branch out and go somewhere else with it.
00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.839
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.119
And Dekila, what are you doing?
00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.160
You're doing some dancing, aren't you?
00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.200
Yes, I am.
00:28:55.359 --> 00:29:02.319
Um, I have been here as well as in Atlanta, traveling for work, um, dancing full time.
00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:09.680
It's my career now, which I am so thankful and blessed to be dancing and uh performing full time.
00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:15.920
Um I did the Queens of RB tour with SWV and Escape.
00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:36.400
Um, and that was like another time where I'm like re-reminiscing over the Muni because arena stages are also very large and um being prepared, like we said, that was an um amazing, amazing experience for me, um, as well as choreographing and teaching as well now.
00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:54.319
Um, as I said earlier when we were talking, I did not imagine myself being the person at the front of the room or the person creating the vision or the steps, but the first time I got an opportunity to do that, um it was up from there and I just enjoyed it so much.
00:29:54.400 --> 00:30:10.400
Um I've choreographed um Anastasia with Fly North Company, as well as um She Kills Monsters as a main stage performance at um Coca Center of Creative Arts and just teaching in the area and continuing to dance.
00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:18.160
I really, really, really have very big aspirations and feel like I've only hit the tip of the iceberg for my career.
00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:31.039
So I'm just excited to see where it goes and pray that I am on Broadway stages and even bigger arenas and just being able to touch people with my passion and my art.
00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.839
Yeah.
00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:40.240
Well, we are all so proud of you, and I know everyone um from the Muni and in your lives are so proud of you, and we just wish you nothing but the best.
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:43.839
And we have no doubt that both of you are gonna be very successful.
00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:49.519
And you know, we might be sitting back and see you on the big screen someday dancing, you know, and we can say hey.
00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:54.880
But Dekila Epps, thank you so much.
00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:57.039
Joshua Bruton, thank you so much.
00:30:57.200 --> 00:31:01.599
It was such a pleasure um getting just to sit down and have this conversation with you.
00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:09.440
Um, Tali Allen, Director of Education for the Muni, thank you so much for also sitting down and talking about the partnership again.
00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:15.759
Um, as uh Tali said, you can find all the information on the Muni website and on their social media pages.
00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:19.759
And um, once you go through that process, I'm sure she's open to any questions.
00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:23.759
Her contact information is available as well on the Muni website.
00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:29.200
So thank you all for sharing your experiences, your passion, and your commitment to helping young people succeed in the arts.
00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:33.839
We are really um just blessed that you were here with us today, and we wish you all nothing but the best.
00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:38.160
And thank you to our listeners for joining us for Confluence Conversations.
00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:50.799
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