Reimagining Opera for Kids

Reimagining Opera for Kids (ROK) is a non-profit organization that introduces children to opera through engaging firsthand experiences. In addition to roughly 40 performances state-wide, ROK presented seven programs connected with the Center for Rural Engagement in elementary and middle schools. Their program “Mooch the Magnificent”, set in a futuristic zoo of animal robots, was shared with elementary schools while “The Telephone” detailed a comical romantic relationship for middle school audiences. Both of these titles are short, original operas performed in English for younger audiences. ROK accompanied these performances with classroom activities like classical music jeopardy, listening-based guessing games and music vocabulary word searches.

           

“The performing arts community is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of community engagement/outreach programming. Educators now clearly understand that participation in some type of outreach program will be a core part of the careers of the young students that they are training as performers.”