The Dallas Opera believes it’s important for little ones to know that art isn’t just for adults — it’s meant for them, too. That’s why they developed Kids Opera Boot Camp, an “interactive blast into opera” aimed at kindergarteners through sixth graders. The three-hour program is open to groups from schools, summer camps and more organizations across D-FW and includes large-group learning, interactive sessions and, this year, a live performance of The Three Little Pigs by The Dallas Opera Education and Engagement staff and artists.
“This isn’t just a trip to the opera,” Director of Education Kristian Roberts says. “It is an immersive, introductory learning experience to an art form that has been around for over four centuries.”
Educators and summer camp administrators can choose one of six sessions offered in late June through early July, each held at the Karayanis Rehearsal and Production Center near Fair Park, where The Dallas Opera rehearses. Sessions begin with an educational portion about the “building blocks” of opera — explaining sets and construction, costumes and makeup, instruments, songs, dance and the overall story of the show — so children are able to see the different essential roles an opera production requires. In breakout groups, the children are taught to sing portions of the opera, introduced to the basics of blocking and staging and given the chance to exercise their creativity with a visual arts activity. After a brief break for snacks and a lesson in opera-watching manners, Dallas Opera education artists perform an opera adaptation of The Three Little Pigs.
Though the program is designed to be utilized by schools, after-school programs, summer camps, homeschool groups and church organizations, Roberts notes that no child would be turned away — individual families are welcome to join in, provided there is space in the requested session. Roberts, who has led The Dallas Opera’s educational program since 2020 and worked with The Dallas Opera since 2008, says the program teaches children the rigor of the art form. Some children who have attended The Dallas Opera programs have even gone on to perform with the opera in later years. “You don’t know where the seeds are going to be planted,” she says.
Kids Opera Boot Camp is part of The Dallas Opera’s larger roster of youth- and family-oriented programs that encourage a broad range of people to engage with the art. For example, more than 60 in-school performances and a substantial number of workshops take place each school year in the Dallas area, complete with free learning activities and resources online to help children and teachers understand and engage with the show. These productions are also offered four times each year as family-friendly weekend afternoon performances at the Winspear. In the 2024-25 season, The Three Little Pigs and Pépito are featured. Another example of the organization’s innovative approach to opera engagement is the OperaTruck, a traveling stage that takes free family opera performances to parks, community centers and retirement homes.
Kids Opera Boot Camp is free and open to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Registration must be completed online by June 21, 2024, but the earlier the better — sessions fill up fast.
2024 Kids Opera Boot Camp Dates:
- Tuesday, June 25
- Wednesday, June 26
- Thursday, June 27
- Monday, July 1
- Tuesday, July 2
- Wednesday, July 3