THIBODAUX, La. — The Nicholls 2018 Opera Workshop will dare to be different.
Nicholls students, alumni, K-12 students and community members will perform scenes from various operas as part of a performance that will touch on issues within the U.S. Productions include “Freedom Ride,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Little Women,” “Madama Butterfly,” “Treemonisha” and “The Consul.”
“This is opera on the bayou,” said Dr. Valerie Francis, Opera Workshop director and associate professor of music. “We want to show that our students can do more than just what the norm is. We want to show that our music department is preparing students for the classical world as well.”
The Opera Workshop Under Construction 2018: Scenes of Life form the Compers’s HEART of View, in its fourth fully staged production, will also serve as a tribute to Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, whose opera “Help, Help, the Globolinks!” is celebrating its 50th year.
The children involved are coming from school districts within Thibodaux, New Orleans, Reserve, St. James and Lafourche parishes.
The performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12 and Friday, April 13, and at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, in the Mary and Al Danos Theater.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors, students and children. Revenue will support future productions and other student activities at Nicholls.
“It is very important to support us as part of the Nicholls community and to support diversity and unique programs in the arts,” Francis said. “Our students are going to leave here and go to grad school, where they will be able to add operatic experience to their resume.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2018
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
