COT for Teens

Join COT for Teens

What We Do

COT For Teens provides high school students from the Chicago area with an exciting, multidisciplinary, hands-on approach to music and theater, which will inspire self-confidence and create a long-lasting interest in the performing arts and specifically opera.

 Chicago Opera Theater for Teens

 Since 2006 Chicago Opera Theater has been proud to partner with the After School Matters program to create the COT for Teens program. Students from a wide variety of backgrounds--ranging from beginning vocalists who lack opportunities for choral experiences in their schools to very advanced students who take private voice lessons--come together at Gallery 37 (at Wabash and Randolph) for this musical after school program. For ten weeks each semester, these high school students meet three days a week for three hours each day to work with teaching artists Caryn Ott Hillman and Christopher Richard from After School Matters. Each week the students participate in group voice lessons geared towards the classical style of singing. The students also practice yoga and breathing exercises, as learning how to care for one's body and instrument is an essential skill for all singers. In addition to developing their vocal technique, the students enjoy a variety of acting games, building creativity and stage awareness.

Spring 2013

 Chicago Opera Theater for Teens Spring 2013 Performances

Fall 2012 

This semester learned and performed Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial By Jury. The performance was a modern version of this classic operetta. COT for Teens rendition of Trial by Jury was tremendously funny and a huge success.  

_{Opera singer Nathan Gunn (left), works with Xxavier Jenkins, 18, a junior at Harlan Community Academy while speaking with students involved in the After School Matters Program at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts in downtown Chicago.}