Pre-Production School Presentations
Local schools will be visited by the Opera NB to provide a brief overview of the art form through student-friendly material, using the very popular and accessible Barber of Seville as a starting point. Company members (Board and/or Executive Director ) will be joined in these presentations by local musicians and New Brunswick singers studying opera at the University level, providing a more youthful and approachable format for the students. Interactivity will be paramount.

Student Study Guide
A Student Study Guide for distribution to teachers of music and theatre arts throughout the province. Using the input of teachers and students, the Study Guide will be a resource for classroom discussions about the upcoming fully-staged production. The Study Guide will include information about the composer and librettist, historical information about the context of the opera, cast biographies and exercises for use in the classroom. In Tosca, La Traviata and The Magic Flute in Concert, teachers found this guide to be a useful resource.

Poster Design Initiative
Opera New Brunswick, with your support, will create and promote a Poster Design Initiative. Through this initiative, high school students will be provided with a brief overview of the opera and encouraged to create a poster concept, in whichever media they may be most comfortable. This will then be used to promote the Student Dress Rehearsal throughout the province. The prizes would be awarded to the school of the top three designs, specifically designated to support the arts budget for the school.

Performers in the Schools
In the weeks leading up to a fully-staged production, ONB will offer to visit schools in Districts 6 and 8. This will provide music classes, choirs and musical clubs the opportunity to meet working professionals within the field of opera. A short performance, including a question and answer period will be offered to students who, in turn, will be able to find out more about how the performer(s) became involved in music in general, and opera specifically; where they trained, where they have performed, and other information that may be of interest to the students.

Director in the Schools
Opera is an art form which encompasses many aspects of music, theatre and dance. While music is a major component of the production, there is also a strong dramatic presence without which an opera cannot be a success. To this end, the Stage Director will also be made available to visit schools and students that may have interest in theatre arts, classical acting, stage management and other various technical aspects of the theatre.

Student Dress Rehearsal
Students from middle schools and high schools throughout the province will be invited to attend a special Student Dress Rehearsal at the Imperial Theatre. Students will see the full production complete with costumes, set, orchestra and chorus in one of Canada’s leading professional theatres, Imperial Theatre. A gem in the cultural crown of New Brunswick, the Imperial is the only theatre East of Quebec City capable to present live opera. Students will be encouraged to ask questions of the cast and crew following the Dress Rehearsal.

For more information about our Student Dress Rehearsal program or Education Handbooks, call (506) 672-4534 or email us.

View a sample of last year's Education Handbook for The Magic Flute.