Program Overview

NAU Opera Program

Expanding Students' Horizons

The Northern Arizona University's Opera Program provides a broad range of enriching experiences in both opera and musical theater, for undergraduate and graduate performers, and for a diverse array of audience members.

About the Program

The goal of the program is to provide singers with the skills necessary to perform on the operatic and musical theater stage with confidence and to prepare students for further study in all aspects of lyric theater. Students are involved in a wide variety of productions, including fully staged opera productions with orchestra and opera scenes programs, which are performed in the original language.

• Many roles are double cast when possible
  • Opportunities abound for students to learn about important aspects of lyric theater
    • Production
    • Design
    • Stage management
    • Assistant direction
  • Facilitating marketing and audience experience enhancements, such as supertitles
• Supportive curriculum includes:
  • Movement and Acting for Singers
  • Opera History
  • Elective study in opera directing
• Voice faculty assist with opera coaching

Performance Venues

• Ardrey Memorial Auditorium: primary venue for opera productions, with a seating capacity of 1,330 and an orchestra pit capable of holding a Wagnerian size orchestra
• Ashurst Hall and the new Kitt Recital Hall: utilized for more intimate productions

Achievements

A team of musicians and artists at Northern Arizona University won first place in the National Opera Association Opera Production Competition with their spring 2018 performance of "Die ZauberflŲte".