Professional Development

As part of Access Opera, teachers may participate in one or more complementary, half-day professional development workshops that offer strategies for connecting elements of opera (music, theatre, movement, visual design) with other subject areas. These sessions are designed to interest both the seasoned opera lover and the teacher new to opera. Offerings vary each season.

ADAPTATION FOR THE OPERATIC STAGE
Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 4:30-6:30PM

In this workshop, teaching artist Brandon Anderson leads educators through one of our most popular “opera-based learning” subjects: adaptation of written source material. Group discussion and active participation exercises will cover works such as Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Kevin Puts’s The Hours, and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice.

Optional Performance: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (8PM curtain)

OPERATIC MAGIC AT THE MET
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 1:30-4:30PM

Witnessing the spectacle of grand opera at the Met is an incredible experience, but it is only part of the story. In this session, teachers will learn all about the various steps in the days, weeks, months, and even years leading up to an operatic production taking the stage. They will then embark on a backstage tour of the country’s largest performing arts organization. Space is limited for this perennial favorite workshop; preference will be given to teachers who have not previously participated.

Optional Performance: Puccini’s Turandot (7:30PM curtain)