Birdie Cast to Perform at the Skylight!

This past week the cast of Reagan's 2013 musical Bye Bye Birdie were invited to perform in the Skylight Opera Theater's High School Musical Showcase on May 21st at 7:30PM in the Third Ward.  The students will perform two selections from this year's production "Put on a Happy Face" and "Got a Lot of Livin' To Do."  The performance is open to the public ($10 adults, $5 Students).  We hope you will come out and support these talented Reagan students!

Alumni Guest Blogger: Emmitt Williams

I graduated from Reagan May of 2011. Not too long ago— just feels like it's been forever. Music after Reagan has been a continuum of creativity and making room to do what I love— music and collaborating with other artist just as I did in high school. Since my freshmen year of college until now, I have released two studio projects— one,  “Are You Listening Yet” during the summer of 2012 and released videos for the songs “Investments” and“Smile”. The second project I released December of 2012 is called "Until I'm a Dead Poet". My greatest music experience thus far in my college career took place last November: when I got a chance to collaborate with other musicians to help me perform "Are You Listening Yet?" live. After a lot of hard work and dedication, we all hit the stage— bass player, guitar player, vocalist, pianist/vocalist, drummer, violinist, me and another emcee. I was thrilled that the band was able to able to fill 160 seats with an overflow of people standing in the back. This hands down has been a pinnacle for me, but I know there are more thrills to come and new heights to reach as we are currently practicing for the live version of "Until I'm a Dead Poet". Music has also landed me a gig in Upstate New York for the first time. This was the first time music was the reason why I traveled outside the Midwest. It was a lot of fun!

Even as a hip hop and spoken word artist, IB music in high school has contributed a lot to my knowledge and appreciation for all types of music. I remember talking to a music major on campus last semester and [after telling him I was a hip hop artist], he was surprised I knew about John Cage and his 4:33 piece he did in silence. Although hip hop and jazz is more of my thing, thanks to 4 years of basic and advanced music classes, I'm well versed in music theory and history. Overall it just makes me a better artist. For anyone who wants to pursue music or any type of art as a career, I first want to let you know some people might not think it's the greatest idea in the world— especially people who you're close to like family. In some kind of strange way, I can see why they would feel that way. Music or art does not have to be your major because if it's a passion, you're always going to make room for it. If you're driven enough you'll even find ways to generate income from it. For those who want to major in music, art or some type fine arts remember, "Don't aim for success. If you want it, do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally"— one of my favorites from David Frost. It's my last and greatest piece of advice for you. One top of that, I hope to be visiting soon. Until then, I wish you all the best of luck with all of your academic and music endeavors.

If you have questions about anything, feel free to message me on Facebook or send me an email to emmitt.ames@gmail.com. I am also on Twitter (@Emmitt_James) for those who like to tweet it up!

Ps: you can also peep the last project here: http://emmittjames.bandcamp.com/album/until-im-a-dead-poet

Emmitt James

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Arts Management Major

Communication Minor

Creative Writing Minor

Reagan Alum, Class of 2011