Cast Info

• Student Enrollment for Opera Productions
• Musical Preparation Timeline
• Maestro Week
• Rehearsal Policies
• Rehearsal Release Request Form
• Guests in Rehearsals
• Comp Tickets

Student Enrollment for Opera Productions

After being cast, in order for a singer to accept and perform a role, enrollment as a student during the semester of the production will be verified. For doctoral students, enrollment in MUS-G 901 satisfies this requirement. For additional clarification about this policy, please contact opera@indiana.edu.

Musical Preparation Timeline

If you have questions about role preparation, please email opera@indiana.edu. Below is a rough timeline leading up to opening night.

As soon as you are cast in a role

• • Order a piano vocal score to begin score preparation and study.
  • Talk with your voice teacher and/or IU Opera Theater Music Staff to create a role preparation timeline and plan.

3 months in advance of opening

• • Musical preparation should be underway. A formal coaching schedule is not typically set during this time, but if singers would like to request help as they musically prepare a role, they may receive coaching (free of charge) with IU Opera Theater Music Staff.

2 months in advance of opening

• • Musical preparation should be underway. A coaching schedule connecting principal singers with production coach/pianists is typically set during this time by the Coordinating Opera Coach, according to singer and pianist availability.

5 weeks in advance of opening

• • This week is known as “Maestro Week” when intensive music rehearsals are held. By this time, roles should be well prepared and memorized.

Beginning of staging to opening night

• • Staging rehearsals begin 4 weeks in advance of opening.
  • Musical coaching and rehearsals are held on an as needed basis during this period.

Maestro Week

“Maestro Week” refers to the week before staging begins, when the conductor of the opera holds music rehearsals. All roles should be completely prepared and mostly memorized by the start of this week, which is generally 5 weeks in advance of a show opening. Rehearsals during maestro week are held 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10-1 and 2-5 Saturday.

Rehearsal Policies

• Attendance at all rehearsals to which you are called is mandatory, but occasionally a release is granted under special circumstances. If you have a conflict you have yet to inform us of, fill out a rehearsal release request Rehearsal Release Request immediately.
• If at any point during the process you need to miss a rehearsal due to a same-day illness or emergency, please let the stage manager know as soon as possible by calling or texting their cell phone.
• Please arrive to rehearsal on time for your call, which means in the room ready to work at the scheduled start time. If you are running late, send the stage manager a text so we can plan accordingly. If your call time is after the start of the rehearsal, please enter quietly as to not disturb the current rehearsal.
• When you arrive at rehearsal, initial the sign-in sheet on the call board and pick up your name tag. There will be chairs set up behind the piano and production tables where you can sit and keep your personal items during rehearsal.
• Please be sure to silence and put away all cell phones and other electronics during rehearsal. The use of cell phones and electronic devices is only permitted before/after rehearsal and on breaks.
• There is absolutely no recording or photography of any kind during rehearsals. This includes audio and video recording, Facebook posts, Snapchat, and all other forms of social media. This helps ensure a safe and open rehearsal environment where we can explore freely without judgment from those on the outside before our show is ready. Occasionally the use of study videos has proven helpful, especially for choreography, however recording of any study videos must be pre-approved by stage management and the director/choreographer.
• Please refrain from wearing to rehearsal any type of perfume/cologne, scented oils, scented lotion, scented hair products, or anything else that may affect other’s olfactory sensitivities or allergies.
• Open-toe and backless shoes are not permitted for staging rehearsals. Please wear proper footwear for all rehearsals.

Rehearsal Release Request Form

Guests in Rehearsals

In order to ensure a productive work environment for both students and the artistic team, opera rehearsals in 301 are by invitation / special permission only. Please do not invite colleagues, guests, prospective students, etc. to attend rehearsals in 301 without gaining written permission in advance from the Opera Office. Our rehearsal time is incredibly short, and we need everyone to concentrate on the task at hand.

Voice faculty members are welcome to observe rehearsals MC301 and in the Theater during dress week. Voice faculty are aware they must refrain from offering feedback during rehearsal (including during breaks) and will be seated by stage management upon arrival to the rehearsal space in 301.  In the theater, faculty may send texts to your phones (which you can retrieve when you are in your dressing room), and if time permits, you may speak with them in the hall during breaks. Director of Coaching and Music Administration Kevin Murphy will be the liaison between faculty and the artistic team, and will address any issues of balance (etc.) to the maestro.

Guests in dress rehearsals

For the final two dress orchestra rehearsals (generally Wednesday and Thursday before a Friday opening), students may enter the Musical Arts Center at the Southeast doors which open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. rehearsal start time. An usher will direct students up the stairs or via the elevator to the balcony. An usher will be posted at the balcony entrance, and students will need to write their name, email, and area of study on a sign-in sheet to gain entry to the rehearsal.