Michigan Opera Theatre has announced that it has acquired a 9,100-square foot deck for the Detroit Opera House. The new addition will cover the theater’s main-level seating and will include several setups that can connect directly with the stage. More importantly, especially given the need for social distancing protocols, the new deck will provide the company with customizable options in {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has announced that it has received $50,000 in grant support from the National Endowment for Arts. The grant is part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. It will be used to support contracting ensembles of the company’s Studio Artists, orchestra musicians, and vocalists. This is the second major grant that the company has received {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has announced that several performers from “Hamilton” will be joining the company’s “Operetta Remix” summer theatre program as guest artists. Among the performers joining the program are Jonathan Christopher and Nikisha Williams, both ensemble members of the touring production of “Hamilton. Christopher understudies as Aaron Burr and George Washington, while Williams understudies as Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy. {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has announced a revised new season. Due to the continued social distancing resulting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has opted for a non-traditional season that will engage with audiences in unique experiences. “The health and safety of our patrons, staff, and artists is our priority at Michigan Opera Theatre, and we are making {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has announced that it will receive $175,000 in grant rewards from the National Endowment for the Humanities in support of its Home Digital programming campaign. Michigan Opera Theatre is but one of eight performing arts organizations to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the only opera company; this is also the first such {…}
The Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus (MOTCC) has announced it will present a one-act opera online as part of Michigan Opera Theatre’s (MOT) new “MOT Learns at Home” educational program, within its “MOT at Home” digital campaign. The Chorus will present Cary John Franklin’s “The Very Last Green Thing,” on May 22. In a press statement MOTCC Director Suzanne Mallare {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has launched MOT at Home, a programming campaign aimed to provide daily opera and dance content to the community during this time of social distancing. Among the programs on offer are “Opera Fix,” Studio Artist Performances, Met Opera Preview, and Podcast. “Opera Fix” includes blogs, recordings, fun facts, and other activities related to the world of opera, {…}
OPERA America has selected 15 participants for its 2020 Leadership Intensive Program. These leaders, which hail from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Latin America, were selected from a pool of 44 candidates. The participants selected by OPERA America include are Derrell Acon, director of engagement and equity, Long Beach Opera; Joe Barnes, company manager, the Metropolitan Opera; Robert Boldin, artistic {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has announced that Ethan Davidson will be the new Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, effective Nov. 14, 2019. Davidson is currently the Chairman of Grants Committee of the William Davidson Foundation as well as one of the Directors of the Motown Museum. He is a professional singer and songwriter who has recorded 10 albums and {…}
Conductor Stephen Lord has resigned from his positions as Principal Conductor at Michigan Opera Theatre and Music Director Emeritus at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis following allegations of sexual harassment. The conductor resigned after allegations were published on the website Twin Cities Arts Reader which featured two dozen individuals who made harassment claims. The claims also stated that “several singers {…}
Matthew Stump has been dropped by the Michigan Opera Theatre. The company announced it will be making a casting change for the role of Leporello in the company’s fall 2019 production of “Don Giovanni.” Stump was accused of sexual assault by colleague Julie O’Dell. In a statement, she said, “Thank you for believing and protecting women. Our industry needs more institutions {…}