Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop Ensemble

The Opera Workshop course is a select ensemble class for moderate to advanced classical and
musical theatre singers. Topics include the musical, linguistic, and dramatic preparation and
performance of roles and scenes from the opera, operetta, and musical theatre. The repertory
includes literature from traditional, contemporary, and diverse cultural sources. We also present
special concerts that highlight a combination of musical styles such as “From Mozart to
Motown” and “Opera and all that Jazz”.

Students audition and are chosen to sing specific operatic or musical roles and/or scenes. The
scenes are rehearsed and staged throughout the semester, then performed for a public
audience. In addition, students prepare and perform opera and musical theatre centered
educational programs on-campus and sometimes off-campus for schools and community
groups in the greater Jackson area.

This is a mixed class, with undergraduate and graduate students meeting at the same time.
Graduate students will be assigned individual “extra” assignments (such as coordinating
educational outreach programs, creating teaching packs, preparing the printed program for performances, etc to justify earning a graduate-level credit. Dr. Phyllis Lewis-Hale is the Director of this ensemble, please contact her for more information: phyllis.a.lewis@jsums.edu or 601-979-2984.