Education & Community Engagement
Mission
A core mission of The Atlanta Opera is to provide opportunities for students of all ages – we believe opera is for everyone and we are committed to ensuring that the art form is available to the widest possible cross-section of our community. Each year, our education programs serve more than 70,000 students in Metro Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. Our programs seek to inspire creativity, stimulate critical conversations, promote an enduring appreciation of the arts, and create audiences for the future.
Program Overview
IN-SCHOOL & VIRTUAL OFFERINGS
Bring The Atlanta Opera to your school or community venue
FIELD TRIPS & STUDENT TICKETS AT THE COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Sponsor
Studio Tour
2023-24 The Bilingual Barber of Seville Studio Tour
Grades K-12 | On Tour January – May 2024
Running Time: 45 minutes, followed by a 5-minute Q&A with the performers
Designed to travel, Studio Tour productions are presented in schools and community venues across the state of Georgia each season. Educators are provided with comprehensive guides which feature lesson plans and activities corresponding to the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
This season’s Studio Tour, The Bilingual Barber of Seville, features an updated take on a classic, opera’s most famous barber, Figaro, plays the role of translator as Rossini’s sparkling, witty score takes center stage.
This 45-minute adaptation is performed in Spanish and English and demonstrates the power of love to triumph over adversity of every kind.
Virtual Studio Tour
VIRTUAL STUDIO TOUR: Hansel and Gretel
Grades K-12 | On-demand Access
$300 for on-demand access | Offered FREE to Title 1 schools
Running Time: 40-minutes, includes a 5-minute Q & A with the performers
Our Virtual Studio Tour brings to life a new adaptation of Humperdinck’s enchanting take on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Suitable for all ages, Hansel and Gretel brings audiences on an adventure through a magic world filled with mystical forest animals, a captivating Sandman, and lots of sweets!
This updated 45-minute English version of Humperdinck’s classic opera, teaches valuable lessons about being polite, making friends, and not judging a Witch by her wardrobe.
The Virtual Studio Tour is accessible to many audiences. Watch when and where you want with easy online access!
VIRTUAL STUDIO TOUR: The Pirates of Penzance
Grades K-12 | On-demand Access
$300 for on-demand access | Offered FREE to Title 1 schools
Running Time: 40 minutes, followed by a 5-minute Q&A with the performers
Our Virtual Studio Tour brings to life Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operettas, The Pirates of Penzance, as a special 40-minute film for students! Frederic, apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted pirates, leaves his cohorts on his 21st birthday and falls instantly in love with Mabel, the daughter of a modern Major-General. Their fate is tested through an adventure of hilarious hijinks and tongue-twisting patter songs, as romance blossoms, loyalty is put to the test, and mistakes are forgiven.
The Virtual Studio Tour is accessible to many audiences. Watch when and where you want with easy online access!
Studio Tour Sponsor
Workshops
Bring The Atlanta Opera into your classroom with our in-person and virtual workshops! Custom workshops and masterclasses offered in-person or via teacher’s preferred online platform. Taught by teaching artists and staff, suggested topics include Introduction to Opera, Operatic Voice Types, History of Opera, and Careers in the Arts, Lighting Design and Props. Additional programs include Opera Storytime for young learners and Masterclasses with The Atlanta Opera Studio Artists.
Contact education@atlantaopera.org to find out more about how these interactive programs can be customized to your needs.
Masterclasses
Designed specifically to heighten the art of vocal music, masterclasses bring professional artists to work with students on solo or ensemble repertoire, musicality, diction, and interpretation.
Professional Learning
Designed to provide educators with unique avenues to deepen their understanding of music, performance, and storytelling, fostering creative approaches to incorporating arts education into their classrooms and inspiring their students through the transformative power of opera.
Community Conversations
Past Community Conversations
Community Conversation: Dementia, Memory & Caretaking
Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Kennesaw State University, Wellstar College, Prillaman Hall HS1105 | 520 Parliament Garden Way NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
October’s Bluebeard’s Castle focuses on the character Judith’s struggle with dementia. In this community conversation, the creators of this gripping adaptation discuss why they chose to delve into the topic of memory and caretaking. WellStar College Faculty and artists from the production join the panel to explore the emotional impact.
If you are unable to join us in person, The Atlanta Opera Film Studio is pleased to offer this Community Conversation as a live stream event on Facebook. Watch along on our Facebook page beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday.
Community Conversation: Madama Butterfly – A Modern Interpretation
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 7pm
Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is undergoing a fascinating metamorphosis. The work is beloved by many but also faces challenges as it changes to be more inclusive and thoughtful in our modern world. A partnership with the Japan America Society of Georgia, during this Community Conversation artists from The Atlanta Opera production discuss the challenges with Asian and Asian-American stereotypes in the piece and offer food for thought to audience members who may be grappling with these issues for the first time.
Moderator: Jessica Kennett Cork, Vice President, Community Engagement & Corporate Communications at YKK Corporation of America – Chair, Japan-America Society of Georgia
Panelists: Tomer Zvulun, Stage Director – General & Artistic Director, The Atlanta Opera | Yasko Sato, soprano – Cio-Cio-San | Nina Yoshida Nelsen, mezzo-soprano – Suzuki | Julius Ahn, tenor – Goro
More information: https://www.jasgeorgia.org/event-4995194
Final Dress Rehearsal Program
Final Dress Rehearsal Program
Grades 5 – 12 | Field Trip Opportunity
Advance registration required | Limited tickets available
The Atlanta Opera invites you to experience our Final Dress Rehearsal program! This program gives educators and students an opportunity to engage with in-person operatic performances. This program is designed for students in grades 5-12 and showcases a full-length opera with sets, costumes, and orchestra.
2023-24 FINAL DRESS REHEARSALS:
- Verdi’s Rigoletto on Thu, Nov 02, 2023 at 7pm
- Puccini’s La bohème on Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 7pm
- Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 7pm
- Wagner’s Die Walküre on Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 6:30pm
For more information on any of these programs, please call 404-881-8801.
Study Guides
Study Guides from past Studio Tours
Hansel and Gretel (2019-20)
The Barber of Seville (2018-19)
The Magic Flute (2017-18)
Cinderella (2016-17)
General Study Guides
Opera 101
Listen to past Pre-Show Talks
Carmen (Bizet)
The Daughter of the Regiment (Donizetti)
The Flying Dutchman (Wagner)
Turandot (Puccini)
Don Pasquale (Donizetti)
Booking & Information
For more information, please contact education@atlantaopera.org.