Wolf Trap Introduces Young Audiences to Opera with a Week of Performances at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods and Special Inaugural Family Day
Instant Opera! at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, August 3 – 7, 11:15 a. m. “Behind the Curtain” Family Day, August 16, 10 a. m. to 1 p. m., Space is limited, reservations required. On-site media coverage encouraged, reservations required.
Vienna, VA (Vocus) August 4, 2010
The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts presents two special programs to introduce families and young audiences to the world of opera, Instant Opera! (http://www. wolftrapopera. org/whats-happening/instant-opera) at the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, and the inaugural Behind the Curtain family day. Instant Opera! features members of the Wolf Trap Opera Company studio artists program who create and perform impromptu operas, based on words and phrases children in the audience provide to fill in the blank spaces in the story outline – similar to the popular children’s word game, Mad Libs. Behind the Curtain (http://www. wolftrapopera. org/familyday) takes families on a tour behind the scenes of the Wolf Trap Opera Company to see what it s like to be center stage, under music and lights and meet the performers. Participants will also create a special craft project related to the Company’s upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and enjoy lunch together. The event takes place at the Barns at Wolf Trap, the home of the Wolf Trap Opera Company during the summer months.
The Wolf Trap Opera Company is one of the nation’s most highly regarded residency programs for pre-eminent emerging professionals in the opera business. It was established almost 40 years ago by Wolf Trap Founder Catherine Filene Shouse, to give young people a chance to experience the demands of a professional career in the performing arts.
“I’m a strong believer that opera is a living, breathing art form for people of all ages,” says Kim Witman, Director of Wolf Trap Opera & Classical Programming. “Our goal with these initiatives is to create inventive, participatory experiences that introduce music and theater to children in a hands-on, interactive environment.”
“I appreciate the efforts that Wolf Trap is making to connect us with families and children in particular, because its so important to preserve arts education,” says Ashlyn Rust, a soprano in residence this season who will sing the role of Titania, Queen of the Fairies in the Wolf Trap Opera Company’s upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. “I was very excited to learn about Instant Opera! and Behind the Curtain… but it makes me wish that I had been exposed to more programs like these when I was growing up!”
Instant Opera! tickets are $8 and may be purchased online (http://www. wolftrap. org/Home/Find_Performances_and_Events/Performance/10TITW/WTOC. aspx) in advance of the show or the day of the show at the kiosk by the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. Admission to Behind the Curtain is $15 per family member including lunch. Advance registration is required and can be accessed online (https://community. wolftrap. org/NetCommunity/SSLPage. aspx? pid=591).
About the Wolf Trap Opera Company
Established in 1971, the Wolf Trap Opera Company continues to earn national and international recognition for its mission to discover and encourage outstanding emerging talent in the opera field, serving singers of exceptional achievement and potential who are ready to make the transition to full-time professional careers. In addition to the young professional singers, the company also features the work of emerging designers, directors, and conductors; and provides opportunities for aspiring stage managers, administrators, coaches, and technical theatre professionals.
Tickets for Wolf Trap Opera Company performances can be purchased at the Wolf Trap Box Office located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia; by calling 1(877) WOLFTRAP; or online at http://www. wolftrap. org (http://www. wolftrap. org). For more information, call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.
Contact:
Melissa Chotiner, (703) 255-4096
Graham Binder, (703) 255-1917
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