Touring Programs
Michigan Opera Theatre’s Touring Company, a state-wide educational and arts outreach of the Department of Community Programs, offers a variety of residencies, workshops and lectures year-round. The artists of Michigan Opera Theatre Touring Company perform one-act operas, musical revues and concert operas for all ages. Workshops may accompany performances. Residencies are two or more days of performances and workshops. Artists can appear as part of a special event or fundraiser. The Touring Company can also create programs appropriate for elementary, middle, high school and adult audiences.
Our tour programs for elementary schools last between one half hour and 45 minutes. The operas and musicals pertain to curriculum benchmarks and embrace learning. Each performance is followed by a question-and-answer session with our artists.
We are currently available to perform a wonderful variety of special programs.
In-School Tours
Lecture Series
Touring Workshops
In School Tours
MUSICALS
FOR K-5 AUDIENCES
THE ARABOOLIES OF LIBERTY STREET
Music by Ron Perera
Libretto by Constance Congdon
Running time: 45 minutes
NEW FOR 2013-14 Based on Sam Swope's award-winning children's book of the same name (Michigan Department of Education's suggested reading list for social studies), this one-act children's opera tells a humorous and endearing story of diversity and tolerance. Request a Tour
FOR K-5 AUDIENCES
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN
Music and Libretto by: Seymour Barab
Running time: 40
The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a delightful musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale with music and libretto by the Dean of Children’s Opera, Seymour Barab. The Pied Piper is hired by the Mayor of Hamelin to rid the town of its rats. The piper does what he’s asked, but is denied the payment promised him; in revenge, he lures all of Hamelin’s children out of town until the Mayor of Hamelin “pays the piper.” After the piper is paid the children are returned to their families and joy and peace are restored to Hamelin. This story allows children to learn the consequences of breaking promises. This show is 45 minutes in length and requires student participation in non-speaking roles. Request a Tour
AESOP'S FABLES
Music: Larry Singer
Libretto: Douglas Braverman
Recommended for K-5
This charming musical features four of the Aesop Fables: The Fox & the Crow, The Tortoise & The Hare, The Grasshopper & the Ant and The Lion & the Mouse. It’s sure to delight your K–5 students! Running time is 45 minutes. Request a Tour
FOR MS-HS AUDIENCES
FOOTSTEPS TO FREEDOM
Running time: 50 minutes
A journey of African American History told through music, dance, and spoken word.
Footsteps to Freedom chronicles the history of Black Americans and the African-American experience. Students will learn about the rich legacy and many contributions of Afro-Americans in today’s society, grown out of the sounds, songs, rituals, music, dance, spoken word and rhythms of ancient Kemet, now known as Africa.
Prior to being led into slavery, African kings, queens, and pharaohs were rulers of great African nations and ruled highly developed societies for centuries, long before other cultures even came into civilized existence. Footsteps to Freedom features a variety of musical, literary and dance styles, taking audiences of all ages on an entertaining, enlightening and inspiring historical journey from what was once perceived as “strange and savage” to a celebration of the perpetual quest for freedom.
America is known for being a “melting pot” of different cultures and ethnicities. The arrival of black slaves, brought from Africa to America, contributed to that melting pot society in a profound way, and helped define the United States of America. Through prose, poetry, song, music and dance, this educational outreach program from the Michigan Opera Theatre Touring Company illustrates how the spirit of Black Americans, handed down throughout the generations from Africa to America, has woven itself into every aspect of American life. Request a Tour
THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK
A dynamic cabaret-style revue of the most beautiful music from Broadway’s greatest composers like George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and more. Request a Tour
MOT SAMPLER
A variety sampler for audiences of all ages. An entertaining and educational revue of hits from Grand Opera, Operetta and Musical Theatre. Request a Tour
All Community Program performances follow standards in the Michigan Frameworks and the National Goals 2000.
For booking information please contact Dolores Tobis at 313-237-3429 or dtobis@motopera.org.
Lecture Series
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF SIGMUND ROMBERG
Lecturer: Mark Vondrak
Born in Europe, composer Sigmund Romberg emigrated to the United States, bringing with him the best of the European Operetta style, creating for the American public such masterworks as The Student Prince, Maytime and many more.
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF JEROME KERN
Lecturer: Mark Vondrak
Composer Jerome Kern served as the bridge between the Viennese Operetta style and the new American Musical Theater style, thus earning him the title of “father of the modern American musical.” This lecture includes many examples of Kern’s beautiful and timeless melodies.
All Community Program performances follow standards in the Michigan Frameworks and the National Goals 2000.
For booking information please contact Dolores Tobis at 313-237-3429 or dtobis@motopera.org.
Touring Workshops
Choose from below or let us customize a program to suit your individual needs.
Create and Perform – Improvisational curriculum in music, movement, acting, and language, culminating in a performance.
Conduct & Create! – An assembly program which teaches conducting signals and culminates in performance pieces using either “body percussion,” vocal and mouth sounds, or traditional instruments.
All Community Program workshops follow standards in the Michigan Frameworks and the National Goals 2000.
For booking information please contact Dolores Tobis at 313-237-3429 or dtobis@motopera.org.
