The Opera FactoryIn July 2008, Opera Boston and Cloud Place piloted The Opera Factory, a four-week intensive opera workshop for teenagers, during which participants—selected from all over Greater Boston—designed, constructed, and performed a new operatic presentation inspired by Bizet’s Carmen under the guidance of seasoned stage professionals. During the fall, Opera Factory participants performed at the (ähts) Festival in Boston and Crossing Cultures at Cloud Place. This past summer’s Opera Factory was expanded to five weeks and culminated with an original adaptation of Mozart’s comic masterpiece Così fan tutte. Renowned visual and performance artist Gronk returned to Opera Boston as part of the Opera Factory’s creative team serving as scenic design instructor. In addition to the opera, the students created a multimedia presentation, the Opera Factory Tour, a three-floor, interactive exhibit which documented the steps in the production’s creative process. To foster the students’ continued engagement in the arts, the Opera Factory cast and crew are invited to attend Opera Boston’s technical and dress rehearsals during the season. Read more about the Opera Factory>> Photography:Students in The Opera Factory, 2009; Photo by Clive Grainger |


