The Performing Arts Laboratory has announced the official opening of registrations for participation in the world premiere of “Seeking/Buscando El Dorado.”

The core values and culture of “Seeking/Buscando El Dorado” were chosen by the community during the March 2025  Pre-Production Repertoire meeting. Later that year, the Performing Arts Laboratory developed an international call, selecting a creative team from a pool of 425 applicants across 68 countries. Two co-creators were selected for this opera, and four more are being trained for the upcoming initiatives.

The plot of the opera was developed by Deniz Emir and Diego Barbosa-Vásquez.  They are working alongside composer Raul Ardila and librettist Dr. Diego Sosa. The opera is original in Spanish, English, and Indigenous languages.

The premiere will take place during Bloomington Opera Camp™, held from May 26 to June 6. Participants aged 7 to 70+, are asked to choose a main path in opera singing, orchestra (all instruments), fine arts, and arts administration to bring the opera to life. Every participant will be credited as an original performer/artist in the world premiere of “Seeking/Buscando El Dorado.” Professional artists are also invited to apply for Fellowships, which provide full tuition, housing, and a stipend.

Barbosa-Vásquez, the Opera Camp’s Creator and Artistic Director said in a press release, “It’s about handing the decision-making power directly to the community and empowering them to broadcast the values and cultures they consider important. Now, what makes the Bloomington Opera Camp™ so unique, is that not only gives decision-power to communities (as should be done in all arts) but also gives access to EVERYONE to the stage as co- creator, performer, and artist.”

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