New Opera West invited kids & kids at heart to participate in a three-part online workshop, in which they created a libretto (the text of an opera) which was turned into a mini-opera by composer Dina Pruzhansky. Kids then had the opportunity to listen to the finished work and illustrate their story to render a final, virtual premiere performance of their new, multimedia opera.

Workshop #1: THE WRITING OF A LIBRETTO: OPERA MAD LIBS! 

Librettist Amy Punt will lead participants through the libretto-writing process. Together they will explore ways to express emotions through storytelling while learning the unique aspects of writing for opera. Using Mad Libs as a way to inspire, the group will help create an original libretto for three singers. Stay with us throughout the 3 workshops and you’ll see your libretto set to music by a professional composer and presented, with illustrations you create in workshop 2, at the conclusion of the program.

WORKSHOP #2: VISUAL STORYTELLING: ILLUSTRATING THE MUSIC

Artist and Graphic Designer, Natalie Parker guides participants through the visual expression of their libretto, written in Workshop 1, now an opera with original composition by Dina Pruzhansky and sung by professional singers. Using *illustrations and *abstract designs, they’ll learn how to communicate the story visually. 

*Please bring any or all arts and crafts supplies you have (pens, paper, watercolors, paint, etc.)

WORKSHOP #3: PUTTING IT TOGETHER: STORYBOARDING & SHARING!

Video Producer Nicole Holly will help the group organize their artwork as we prepare to set the finished illustrations to the opera. In this workshop we will hear from the participants about what their illustrations mean to them and how combining the written, visual and musical arts can enhance or change a story.