Chicago Opera Theater Partners with the City of Chicago's After School Matters

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) is proud to announce its continued partnership with the City of Chicago's After School Matters (ASM). This collaboration between COT and ASM, now in its fourth year, will continue the apprenticeship program Chicago Opera Theater for Teens for the 2009/10 school year. The program helps Chicago high school students to experience opera in a hands-on matter and gives students the exciting opportunity to perform in two separate public performances. COT is eager to continue this important part of its multi-faceted education outreach program that is crucial to its mission of ensuring opera for the next generation.

"Chicago Opera Theater for Teens offers students the opportunity to take part in an extracurricular opportunity that can trigger what may easily become a life long passion for opera and the arts," said COT General Director Brian Dickie.

For this year's program approximately 20-30 students will be chosen to participate in the program. Those selected will meet three times a week to collaborate and rehearse selected scenes for their public performances in the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010. Drawing from musical theater, opera, and operetta the scenes will be assigned to individuals and groups based on their specific vocal skills. Working directly with their artistic leaders, the students' involvement with the piece goes beyond simply singing the selections on stage but they will also research their specific scenes to understand the work's background and context. This experience allows Chicago students the unique opportunity to take part in a paid opera apprenticeship program.

In addition to this research and development of the scenes, students in Chicago Opera Theater for Teens explore the professional performing arts world here in Chicago. In previous years students have enjoyed special field trips to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and, of course, Chicago Opera Theater. Students also have the rare opportunity to meet internationally accomplished opera singers. Renowned singers who have presented master classes in past years include: mezzo-soprano Buffy Baggott, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, and bass-baritone, Alan Held.

From last year's program eight students were accepted into college vocal programs of their choice with six receiving full scholarships. Not only have students from the program gone off to vocal programs but they have been offered excellent performance opportunities right here in Chicago. Chicago's First Lady Maggie Daley heard Sabrina Walker, one of the performers in COT for Teens' 2009 production of Into the Woods, and asked her to perform at the dedication of Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie. Among the guests at the dedication event was former President Bill Clinton.

The program is open to high school students who reside in the city of Chicago. Auditions will be held on September 10 from 4 to 8pm, September 19 from 12 to 4pm, September 21 from 4 to 8pm, and September 22 from 4 to 8pm at Gallery 37, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Students can fill out an application at the audition or in advance online at afterschoolmatters.org. Students should prepare to sing one song - classical preferred but not required - and a pianist will be provided.

If students have any questions they may contact COT's education outreach department at ajwester@chicagooperatheater.org or 312.704.8420 x23. Chicago Opera Theater will announce dates and locations for the fall and spring Chicago Opera Theater for Teens productions closer to their respective performance dates.

 

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