91²Ö¿â Opera Theatre
91²Ö¿â Opera Theatre continues to grow and expand, offering scene programs and fully staged productions.
91²Ö¿â Opera Theatre is dedicated to developing and nurturing young artists in the craft of opera performance by recognizing their individual strengths as they build the skills necessary to achieve their creative, academic and career goals.
2024 Fall Opera
P.D.Q. Bach’s
“The Abduction of Figaroâ€
A dying Figaro and his loving wife. A flirtatious playboy and the woman he has wronged. Two young lovers. And a pirate? Yes, these are but a few of the characters in PDQ Bach’s hilarious "The Abduction of Figaro," which will be presented by 91²Ö¿â Opera Theatre from November 15th to the 17th, in the Wright-Curtis Theater. Using familiar musical samplings from the 18th through the 20th centuries, PDQ Bach spoofs opera and its many clichés. Come see our young artists display their vocal and comedic skills!
PERFORMANCES
All performances take place in the Wright-Curtis Theatre, Center for the Performing Arts (1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH, 44242).
Friday, November 15, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 17, 2024 | 3:00 p.m.
91²Ö¿â the Program
Over the past decade, the 91²Ö¿â Opera Theatre has continued to grow and diversify, presenting scene programs and fully staged productions with the 91²Ö¿â Orchestra to great acclaim each academic year. Students in the program experience a rich curriculum of vocal coaching, acting lessons, and production best practices.
Learn about of Voice Division here
Faculty
Jay White
Professor, Director of Opera Studies and Music Director
Timothy Culver
Professor, Stage and Production Director
Who can join the cast?
Open to all 91²Ö¿â undergraduate and graduate students through audition.
Auditions
Typically, auditions are held during the first full week of classes each semester.
An collaborative pianist will be provided.
Auditionees can expect two sing two selections.
- Arias preferred but art song accepted.
- One selection can be in English.
- It is preferred that the other selection be in a language other than English.
Audition Sign-up
- to let us know you're interested in the Opera Theatre cast!
- We'll let you know when the audition sign-up ready and other details.
2023-2024
Spring
"Radio Hour"
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
"Not/Ordinary: Scenes of Life and Love"
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2022–2023
Spring
“Double Featureâ€
- “The Telephone†| Gian Carlo Menotti
- “Trial by Jury†| Gilbert and Sullivan
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Sceneworks: A Sampling from 400 Years of Operaâ€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2021–2022
Spring
“Let the Party Beginâ€
- “Bon Appétit†| Lee Hoiby
- “A Musical Evening at the Choufleuris’" | Jacques Offenbach
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
“An Evening of Operaâ€
Fine Arts Building | 91²Ö¿â at Stark
2020–2021
Spring
“Onward†– Audition Reels
Virtual
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Arias for the Pandemicâ€
Virtual
2019–2020
Spring (Canceled – Coronavirus Pandemic)
“The Medium†| Gian Carlo Menotti
"Dido & Aeneas†| Henry Purcell
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Operetta: The Land of Smiles, Pirates and Pinaforesâ€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2018–2019
Spring
"The Tender Land†| Aaron Copland
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Marriage Inside/Outâ€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2017-2018
Spring
"Die Fledermaus" | Johann Strauss II
Performed with 91²Ö¿â Orchestra
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Opera Scenes | “The Wonderful, Wacky World of Operaâ€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2016-2017
Spring
"A Novel Idea! Stories of Operatic Proportions"
- "Gisela In Her Bathtub" by Neil Weisensel, Orchestration World Premiere
- "The Harpies" by Marc Blitzstein
- "The Doctor Miracle" by Georges Bizet
Performed with the 91²Ö¿â Orchestra
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Scenes from "The Magic Flute" | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Murphy Auditorium | 91²Ö¿â Museum
2015-2016
Spring
"Sweethearts" | Victor Herbert
Semi-staged concert performance with the 91²Ö¿â Orchestra
University Auditorium | Cartwright Hall
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Trying Trios!!!â€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2014-2015
Spring
"Iolanthe" | Gilbert and Sullivan
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Singing in Circles,â€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2013-2014
Spring
"A Musical Evening at the Choufleuris’" | Jaques Offenbach
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Northeast Ohio Tour
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Singing Outside the Boxâ€
Wright-Curtis Theatre | Center for the Performing Arts
2012-2013
Spring
“Oh...The Games We Playâ€
- "The Impresario" by W.A. Mozart
- "A Hand of Bridge" by Samuel Barber
- "Gianni Schicchi" by Giacomo Puccini
Performed with the 91²Ö¿â Orchestra
Ludwig Recital Hall | Center for the Performing Arts
Fall
Opera Scenes | “Lovesick Maidens, their Men and More, Much Moreâ€
91²Ö¿â
Contact
Jay White
Director of Opera Studies and Professor of Voice
jwhite99@kent.edu | 330-672-9237