The Opera Workshop program at Missouri State University is designed as a training medium for young singers in the field of opera and musical theatre. All students, whether intending to be vocal soloists, teachers, or one who simply loves musical theatre, are encouraged to participate. Opera solos, ensembles scenes, one-acts and full-length productions are prepared and performed with sets, costumes and make-up. Student stage directors are used whenever possible, as well as student choreographers, set designers and conductors. Opera Workshop classes emphasize the fundamentals of stage technique, movement and acting for the singer, as well as technical training with sets, costumes, directing skills, and make-up.

Through the Opera Workshop program, the Missouri State student is introduced to different historical periods of opera, as well as varying styles from verisimo to modern atonal music. The primary music studied is from repertoire suitable for young voices such as the Mozart operas Marriage of Figaro or Magic Flute. Other styles, such as the dramatic music of Puccini or Verdi, are also presented in ensembles or as solos. For example, the Opera Ensemble Evening in April 2001, presented scenes from Faust, Salome, and Rosenkavalier. Missouri State Opera Workshop students also perform solos and ensembles on on campus and for the prestigious Collectors Series concerts to include Faust, Salome, and Rosenkavalier (2001), "Rescuers, Rascals & Rogues" (2006), and “Magical Movie Memories,” featuring songs and ensembles from great movies in September, 2006.

Since its inception in 1993, Opera Workshop performances have included productions of Hansel and Gretel; scenes from Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte, Magic Flute and Marriage of Figaro; Carmen, Act II; The Telephone; La serva padrona; The Impresario; Down in the Valley; Rodelinda; Gallantry; Barber of Seville- with a trim; Don Quixote, A Space Opera, a student-written improvisational exercise; “Creatures, Clowns, Comics, and Kings, a musical review; Rossini's Cinderella; Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Jim Billings and John Prescott's The Reluctant Dragon; Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury; Johann Strauss' Fledermaus; Mozart's Bastien und Bastienne; Mozart’s The Impresario, Donizetti's Rita; John La Montaine's Novellis, Novellis; Ravel's The Enchanted Child, and Puccini's Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica.

2006-2007 Season

The Fall 2006 Opera Workshop production was VAUDEVILLE, a collaborative project with the College of Arts and Letters. The VAUDEVILLE performance on Friday October 13, opened the newly-renovated Gillioz Theater in downtown Springfield. The program featured "Opera Viva," the performing wing of Opera Workshop, which presented a mix of opera, dance, comedy, movie sweethearts and selections from musicals from 1904 – 1927. A second performance for families was Sunday October 15. Also participants included faculty and performers from the College of Arts and Letters, including the department of Theater and Dance. Jerry Hoover’s “High Society Band” added their rhythm and energy to Vaudeville show. Dr. James Baumlin and Dr. Pearl Yeadon served as Artistic Directors for the production, with Assistant Dean Carol Anne Hemming as Producer. Mark Putman was the Set Designer, Deborah McDowell, costume design, and Jim Baumlin, the musicologist. Junior Theater Major Geovonday Jones was the Director of the Showboat scene, one of the featured numbers in the show. VAUDEVILLE was supported by a Missouri Campus Compact Grant and the College of Arts and Letters.

The Vaudeville show was also presented in West Plains, Missouri, on October 8, 2006 in the West Plains Civic Center. Coordinated by Kathleen Morissey and Jem Duffin, and directed by Dr. Pearl Yeadon, the performance featured Missouri State “Opera Viva,” Master of Ceremonies Jem Duffin and several well-loved acts and performance groups from the West Plains area including the “After Hours Big Band” directed by Renee Wood, Gymnastics Unltd., directed by Mike Harmon, exciting dance numbers performed by Tyler Wilson, Jenna Jordan, Nathan Moore, Melody Schaeffer, Shane Corl and Catlin Frey, and a delightful comedy skit by Jem Duffin and Harriet Dencoff.

“Opera Viva”
Missouri State “Opera Viva” presents from two to four performances of operas or scenes on tour each semester for Missouri K-12 Schools. These productions are designed as Service-Learning projects and integrate university study and performance experience with experiential and interactive learning techniques. “Opera Viva,” presented a cut-down version of the Vaudeville show at Seymour on October 24, 2006 for 350 first through third grade students. This performance also featured the Seymour High School Choir directed by Ruth Novak. A second touring performance was presented in Ava on October 25, 2006 for over 450 K- fourth grade students. JT Eberhard was the MC, and charmed his young audience members as well as the attending teachers.

Opera Scholarships
Opera Workshop Scholarships, supported by the Collectors Series, are judged by internationally recognized performers and awarded each semester by competition. All students registered in Opera Workshop are eligible to compete.

The Spring 2007 Opera Workshop production will be Gianni Schicchi, the 3rd opera in Giacomo Puccini's three opera series Il Trittico. It will be performed on March 1st and 2nd at 7:30 pm and March 3rd and 4th at 2:30 pm in Ellis Recital Hall on the Missouri State campus. A one-act opera, this wonderful comedy is filled with delightful characters: the dead body of the wealthy uncle, his best friend who decides to masquerade as the rich old coot, the dead man's money-grubbing and scheming family, and a lovely innocent young girl who is in love with her young man. The plot is a simple yet a timeless look into the human condition. Rich old man dies, family members all want his land, jewels, vineyards, homes, and gold, and the best friend persuades them that since their patriarch died without a will, the only way to inherit would be if he assumes the corpse's identity and dictates a will to a lawyer naming the family, of course, as beneficiaries. Puccini has written some of his most delightful, complicated, and lighthearted music for this opera, with the true operatic gem, "O mio babbino caro," set like a jewel in the center of the frantic action. Family friendly, this production is appropriate for all ages. The performance is free of charge, and seats are on a first-come basis. Please call (417) 836-5648 for information.