Lyric Opera 2019-2020 Issue 2 The Barber of Seville

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 14 The Vocal Partnership Program brings Lyric professional teaching artists into performing-arts schools around the city. Last season participants focused on The America Project, a collection of devised pieces created in conjunction with West Side Story that asked the question: What does America mean to you? Final presentations included a spoken performance about Hurricane Maria and a choreographed dance from Gallery 37, an Afro-Caribbean jazz performance by The Ruiz Belvis Afro- Caribbean Jazz Collective, and additional pieces by students from Chicago High School for Arts, The Chicago Academy for the Arts, and Merit School of Music. Students performed in a rehearsal room at Lyric, with several West Side Story cast members and choreographer Julio Monge cheering them on and dancing along. Performances for Students and Chicago Public School Dress Rehearsals enable thousands of students to experience the full force of a mainstage opera or musical at the Lyric Opera House— at little or no cost. As one teacher noted, “It is so beneficial for all students to have the opportunity to experience great art.” West Side Story alone brought 6,000 students into the Ardis Krainik Theatre last spring. A total of 3,025 students attended Cendrillo n, La bohème, and Elektra . Student Backstage Tours are a perennially popular field trip. Even the most reluctant or jaded kids are dazzled by the beauty of the Rice Grand Foyer and the Ardis Krainik Theatre. They’re surprised and thrilled to walk across the stage, witness the intricacies of wig and wardrobe fabrication, and learn the tricks of weapon and prop assembly. On the catwalk 74.5 feet above the stage, during a student backstage tour. High school students who have become passionate about opera can apply to join the Youth Opera Council . YOC members enjoy exclusive access to Lyric Opera artists, staff, and behind-the- scenes exploration. The YOC hosts youth-focused events, like A Night at the Opera, which enables YOC members and other high school students to bring friends to a mainstage performance at Lyric and to join in a lively reception beforehand. The photobooth, costume try-on, and YOC-curated snacks are some bonus highlights for participating teens. YOC also lets students experience responsibility and collaboration, while giving them insights into arts administration with visits from members of the Lyric team. Earlier this year, general director Anthony Freud sat down for a podcast recording with YOC members, who asked him everything from plans for the upcoming season to his best impression of an American accent. Carson Cook joined YOC for the 2015/16 season, and is now a senior at the San Francisco Conservatory, pursuing opera as a profession. “YOC taught me to network. It was cool to be able to see all aspects of the opera house. We got to meet everyone, including the general director and the music director. We got to have pizza with the orchestra and go to every show. I’ve been so inspired by Lyric’s ability to get new people in.” Lyric has partnered with the Chicago Urban League to create EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity Through the Arts , a participatory arts program for students in grades 9-12 spanning an academic year. EmpowerYouth! brings together 30 young people from Chicago’s south side for a hands-on exploration of performing arts and the creative process. The program includes Kyle Flubacker