Opera Production Class

Since 2005, HCC students have been traveling to Wichita to participate in a unique collaboration with the Wichita Grand Opera.

Students learn to sing the chorus part of an opera, and then perform with a professional company featuring international artists.

Other Activities Include:

• Props construction
• Set construction
• Costume alterations and prep
• Stage load-in and strike
• Marketing and box office assistance

Students assist members of an I.A.T.S.E. union theater crew, and learn through hands-on experience for all types of backstage work.

It's not all work...

Over 125 students have participated in this program since 2005.

Past Productions

• 2005 Aida
• 2006 I Pagliacci
• 2007 La Traviata & Tosca
• 2008 Faust
• 2009 Aida
• 2010 Carmen
• 2011 Madama Butterfly

More Past Productions

• 2012 Il Trovatore
• 2013 Otello
• 2014 Guillaume Tell
• 2015 Turandot
• 2016 La Boheme
• 2017 Madama Butterfly

There is no other program like this one in the nation.

Opera Production Acclaim

• Nationally recognized and reviewed by Opera America magazine
• WGO has been awarded grants for this collaboration
• Featured topic at an "Innovations in Opera Education" event in Kansas City
• Professional artists consistently comment on the preparation, work ethic, and contributions of our students.

Not just for the students...

In addition to preparing our students, I have served as Stage Director for 6 of the productions we have participated in.

Professional Growth

• Collaboration with international artists shapes my understanding of artistic trends and effective practices.
• Students see me engaging with high-caliber artists and it builds their respect for my abilities in the classroom.
• Continued exposure to professional level work maintains my high expectations for my students.

"Deserving strong praise was Shayna Leahy directing a deeply felt and deeply moving "Madama Butterfly" that soared as much for its fine acting as its strong singing."
-Wichita Eagle

"This production told the story easily with just enough novelty to make it accessible for an audience unfamiliar with the work. Standing ovations are part and parcel of opera nowadays but this one was genuine and merited and the audience roared its approval." -Robert Lombardo, NYC critic

"Shayna Leahy helped me create my first Turandot. Now I sing that role all over the world and every time I perform, people comment on how unique and moving my characterization is. I tell them she gave that to me."
-Zvetelina Vassileva, Metropolitan Opera soprano

The productions I've directed have been featured on Kansas Public Broadcasting and viewed on YouTube more than 400,000 times.

Beyond HCC

Alumni Accomplishments

• Several former students now work professionally in performing arts and arts administration.
• Others have found their opera experience enhances their skills in arenas beyond the arts.

Professional Scotties

• Sami Sallaway (2006) - Stage Manager, Make-Up Artist, and Arts Administration professional with New York City Opera
• Landon Jackson (2011) -Character parade performer at Walt Disney World
• Keshana Cook (2014) - Featured performer at Worlds of Fun

Untitled Slide

• Chelsea Waite (2013) - Arts Administration professional with Wichita Grand Opera (WGO) and Hawaii Performing Arts Festival
• Jessica Edmondson (2011) - Arts Administration professional with WGO
• Paige Hanzlicek (2010) - Arts Administration professional with WGO

Thank you!