Goal
To provide 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.
Opera for Teens
Since 2006 Chicago Opera Theater has been proud to partner with the After School Matters program to create the Opera 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 Marta Johnson 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.
Opera for Teens’ fall semester culminated in an Opera Scenes performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art last December. The 27 students gave it their all, singing some of the most beloved pieces in the repertoire. Several selections from Le nozze di Figaro were heard as well as Hänsel and Gretel, Cosi fan tutte and Les contes d’Hoffmann. The students’ group performance of ‘Va, pensiero’ – the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi’s Nabucco was a highlight of the evening. On the lighter side were offerings from The Gondoliers, Street Scene, Kismet, The Boys from Syracuse and Guys & Dolls. The afternoon ended with a rollicking performance of the juicy and gossiping ‘Neighbor’s Chorus’ from Offenbach’s La jolie parfumeuse. It was an afternoon of musical delight enjoyed by the students and audience alike!
Singers pose for a picture after their performance at COT's Gala in 2011.
During the winter/spring semester, students worked on a production of The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan. Continuing to work on vocal technique and acting skills, the operetta was a vehicle for continued growth. As we progressed in our ten week semester, we encouraged students to be an active part of the creative process. They determined the time period and location for our production, and helped design the set and costumes. Our set is usually very simple, several panels that can fold in a variety of configurations. In the past we have either collaborated with the art departments at After School Matters for the painting of our set, or our students themselves do the painting.