This course is designed for theatre directors who want to move into opera but need that first step into how to approach the art form. Opera is the collision of all performing arts into one magical art form: music, story, acting, movement, and image. Operas are often epic, with giant emotions, matching stage designs and costumes, plus large choruses, the orchestra, and accordingly, financial risk. But how to break into this specialized industry? How to approach getting involved in opera and how to stage an opera? When listening to an opera score for the first time, what are you listening for? Is the story the beginning point or the music? What are the essential steps from the moment you hear an opera, to getting it produced, to conceiving the world of the opera, to directing a creative team and ensemble of singers to emobody the world of the opera? In this course, students will choose an opera, in discussion with Daniel Kramer, and execute a series of exercises to fully conceive and prepare an operatic production on their chosen scale. The opera world is a full of rich opportunities for artists who love music, story, movement and images - and are ready to step into the thrilling waters of music theatre.

Reading and viewing list available upon registration; please contact Daniel Kramer directly for course eligibility.