Mission
One of Chicago Opera Theater's foremost missions is to introduce opera to young people who would otherwise not have the means or opportunity for exposure to opera or the cultural arts in general.
To achieve that end, the Opera For All program brings Teaching Artists into four elementary schools in Chicago to educate students about classical music, singing, and opera. Opera For All allows kids to understand the art by participating in it, both in production and in performance.
Exposure
The 2010-2011 Opera For All year began with simple activities to get students interested and involved in opera. Acting and singing games led to the rehearsal of a piece from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Chicago Opera Play House, founded by Education Director Linden Christ, brought Goldilocks and the Three Bears, featuring the OFA Teaching Artists, to perform at each school. Observing their own Teaching Artists in the production allowed them to have a personal connection to the show, which they really enjoyed. Seeing an opera, even a short one, gave them a real idea of what they are working towards.
In addition, students from the two classes participated in the finale of Goldilocks. It was for many students the first time they had performed onstage, and it gave them a first taste of what it is like to be a performer. Being a part of the show that their teachers were in broadened their horizons and their realm of possibilities, opening it up to help students think big, creatively, and outside the box when it came time to create their own production.
Production
For the first year that students actually created their own opera, they were given the theme of Legacy that runs through the COT production of Death and the Powers to work with. To stimulate the creative process, students were asked to interview their parents and relatives, and discover their family history, origin, and culture. They made connections to their parents and ancestors through music that their parents listened to and treasures and objects that had been passed down through their families. They were asked to consider not only what was important to their families in the past, but what was important to them in the present, and what legacy they would like to leave for the future.
The late Mary Scruggs helped students learn to write lyrics to songs based on the themes that were important to them. Over the course of three weeks, each of the eight classes wrote lyrics to a song, producing eight songs for the script. In December, the students put on their Winter Preview performance, a staged reading of their script and lyrics. It provided them with an opportunity to practice performing in front of an audience and a chance to show their parents what they had accomplished so far!
In the spring, students worked with Adam Busch, OFA’s composer, to write melodies to go with their lyrics. The songs included “Pizza Day,” “I Can’t Wait for Dessert” and the much-acclaimed protest song “We Want Chocolate Milk!”
Choreographer Devery McCoy helped them create two original dances, “Boom Boom Pow” and “Chicken Noodle Soup.”
Teaching Artist Lisa Golda wrote a script to connect all the songs, and the students staged it, bringing the script to life.
They also worked with visual artist Sonja Henderson to create props and costumes.
Performance
Students performing their original opera, School Rules!
"I loved everything about opera. It was very active and amazing!" –Student
“Thanks for teaching us dance steps. Now I feel more confident about myself.” –Student
“Can you find out what class I’m in next year and teach my new class opera?” –Student
"Thank you! These programs change lives in untold ways. Some we will never see, but it definitely changed my students." --Partner Teacher
"It is exciting to see the new approach of OFA this year in that it is more concentrated on the creative process of the students" --Lisa Golda, Teaching Artist
"COT has been a strong component of our school's focus and continues to be extremely valuable for our community. Please continue to fund the program and make it available to my students." --Principal
As in previous years, students at four elementary schools – Clinton, Reilly, Hampton, and Lycee – will be introduced to opera through sessions with COT’s teaching artists, as well as an in-school production of Cinderhood by the Opera Play House.
From Handel’s Teseo, the themes of adventure, quests, and discovery have been selected for students to base their creative process around. Students will take field trips that will provide ideas and inspiration for adventures, real or fictional, that will become their opera. With the help of guest artists, they will write songs and a script, create props and costumes, and stage and perform their opera at the end of the year.
Look forward to updates throughout the year, concerning Cinderhood, the Winter Preview performance in December, and the progress of creation throughout the year!
