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Mill City Opera Week: A Facilitator’s “Notes”

July 23, 2014

Boring!  Loud!  Italian!  
Only singing…no speaking!  
Woman with the horns on her head!

 

These are the kinds of responses that were shouted when students from Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools were asked, “What comes to mind when you think of opera?”  Two days later they were singing a different tune.

Over the course of two afternoons, 19 middle and high school students were introduced to the world of opera thanks to a partnership between Project Success and Mill City Summer Opera.  These young people met with professional artists from various areas of expertise, participated in a variety of exploratory workshops, and were the first audience members for the MCSO’s production of Puccini’s Tosca.

 

I had the privilege of facilitating many of these workshops with the talented team at MCSO.  As the afternoons unfolded I watched as the students’ ideas of opera were challenged, opening their eyes to new possibilities in the world of theatre. The skills that each participant brought were connected with various aspects of putting together a professional production.

I watched as one student (who wasn’t exactly thrilled to be at these workshops at first) realized that her love of organization and logistics and her passion for theatre could lead to a fulfilling career in stage management.  As she met with MCSO’s stage manager I saw her energy increase and she came alive with excitement.  To witness that kind of discovery and to be able to provide opportunities where horizons are expanded is the greatest part of my job.

 

When MCSO’s resident costume designer Jennifer Caprio shared the story of her journey, she revealed that a few people had told her that she wouldn’t make it as a designer because her drawing skills weren’t the best.  Determined to make it as a theatrical costumer she worked hard and stayed focused on that dream. Her work is now seen on Broadway and in theatres around the globe.  For youth to witness, first hand, a story of success that isn’t traditional or “textbook” is so vital in cultivating persistence to pursue their own dreams, whether they are in the theatre or not.

 

As we look forward to another school year at Project Success, we hope that each and every one of our students is able to expand their horizons, try something new, and surprise and challenge themselves.  Thanks to the Mill City Summer Opera for helping the young people of Minneapolis and St. Paul explore the world of opera and subsequently discover new possibilities on their freshly expanded horizons.

Ryan’s post was recently featured on the Young Education Professionals Twin Cities Blog, “Extra Credit.”