OPERA THEATRE
The Penn State Opera Theatre (Opera Workshop) is a organization dedicated to the study and production of operas and operatic scenes. The four annual productions are: Opera Intermezzos, an evening of fully-staged operatic scenes; The Opera Gala, a formal concert of operatic choruses, arias, and ensembles; The Children's Opera, a company that performs operas for schoolchildren; and The Opera, a staged production of one or more full operas. Graduate and undergraduate opera students study the dramatic and musical preparation and performance of solo and ensemble operatic literature from Monteverdi to Loesser. Opera students are taught to find the dramatic actions in their roles, and to move and sing in a manner consistent with their characters. They also participate in production activities (scenery, costumes, props, etc.) to learn stage production skills. Admission and assignment of roles is by audition with the director. It is open to all University students.