60-plus students, a dash of pirate spirit, and a whole lot of opera magic – that’s the recipe for an unforgettable day at Glimmerglass. On Tuesday, August 13th, students and volunteers from Utica-area community centers immersed themselves in the Festival, culminating in a spirited performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. This experience was made possible through a longstanding partnership with Glimmerglass’ dedicated supporter, Hon. Joan Shkane (ret.). Driven by a profound love of opera and a commitment to community, Shkane has been instrumental in bringing underserved students to Glimmerglass productions and providing enriching educational workshops.
The group’s adventure began in the Pavilion, where students shared their expectations for the day ahead. One student exclaimed, “I heard it’s funny, so I’m excited for this one!” Some of the students recalled the interactive workshop with Glimmerglass Teaching Artist Pamela Simonson Parker, where they heard parts of the famous Gilbert & Sullivan tunes, learned about the plot, and used various props to design their own costumes to embody the characters of this beloved opera.
Next stop, the Alice Busch Opera Theater. Under the guidance of Joel Morain, Glimmerglass A/V Coordinator, students gained insights into the technical aspects of production, learned about stage positions, set design, the flyspace, and the immense scale of opera. As students looked out into the audience, Morain pointed out that it was a lighting staff member’s birthday! This led to an impromptu performance of “Happy Birthday” from the students, who can now brag about their debut on the Alice Busch stage.
Venturing into the scene shop, the students marveled at the craftsmanship involved in creating the world of each opera. Morain drew the students’ attention to the towering centerpiece of Elizabeth Cree, emphasizing how each element was meticulously crafted with imagination and skill by Glimmerglass staff and apprentices.
After walking through the costume shop, Director of Production Abby Rodd talked about the steps from renderings to the final touches that create the costumes we see on stage. A young visitor asked, “How can we get started here [at Glimmerglass]?” sparking a conversation about apprenticeships, opportunities to shadow departments, and auditions to join the Glimmerglass youth chorus.
Their journey continued with a workshop with Assistant Director Nadja Simmons, who helped students transform into pirates, policemen, and elegant English ladies! Through engaging exercises, they explored character development, physicality, and vocal expression, immersing themselves in the world of The Pirates of Penzance. Afterwards, Artistic & General Director Rob Ainsley shared his expertise on the many hats that people can wear in opera, from singer to conductor to composer.
Next, it was time to step into the theater. The students were captivated by the music, the costumes, and the energy of the performers. “I like when they all sing together, it is very beautiful,” said one young critic. Another added, “I love the orchestra in the pit. They are not just here to play, they also become characters in the story.”
As the final curtain fell, students eagerly shared their thoughts, their eyes sparkling with excitement. “¡Muy bonita, me encantó Ruth!” “I recognized some of the singers from La Calisto! They changed their characters really well,” one student exclaimed. “It is a very diverse cast. I noticed that, and I like that a lot.”
Thank you to Hon. Joan Shkane for sharing her love of opera with the local community and to the Mohawk Valley Latino Association, EOP Midtown Utica Community Center, I CAN, Upward Bound, and Junior Frontiers for their work in this important community outreach effort.
If you would like to organize a group experience at the Glimmerglass Festival, please reach out to info@glimmerglass.org. You can receive a discounted price on tickets and pay in installments.
Click here for more images from the Tuesday, August 13th visit. All photos by Brent DeLanoy/The Glimmerglass Festival.