Young Artist Program
TO APPLY:
Check back in May for information on applying for CCOT's Young Artist Program for the 2012-2013 season.
Center City Opera Theater uses a YAP Tracker application for all submissions. You do not need to pay a subscriber to YAP Tracker to use the application form, although you will need an account (guest accounts are available; see the website for details). There is currently a $39 fee to apply for our program.
The application form for singers can be downloaded here. The application form for pianist-coaches, directors and designers can be downloaded here.$39 Resident Studio Artist Fee
DESCRIPTION:
Designed to be a year-long post-graduate professional training experience for dynamic young singers, pianist-coaches, conductors, directors and designers, Center City Opera Theater’s young artist program selects, by audition, only the most talented individuals to participate in this program.
The Center City Opera Theater has gained an international reputation for its commitment to develop new work, new audiences and new artists. Its Young Artist Program is central to its activities, and the focus of the Young Artist Program is on performance opportunities and advanced training and coaching sessions. All participants will sing major lead roles in at least two productions, as well as have opportunities to perform in all CCOT productions. A premium is placed on performers who can communicate both through their singing, acting and communication abilities. All artists will have the opportunity to work with regional and nationally recognized conductors, coaches and directors during their time in Philadelphia.
Center City Opera Theater’s 2011-12 season includes the East Coast premiere of Daniel Catán’s ll Postino in November, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro in February, the regional premiere of Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers in April, Puccini’s La bohème in May, and the world premiere of Michael Ching’s Slaying the Dragon in June.
A maximum of 14 singers, 1 conductor, 1 pianist-coach, 1 stage director and 3 designers will be invited to participate in CCOT’s Young Artist Program. Auditions and interviews for both programs will be held in late August in Philadelphia (preferred) or NYC. The 2011-2012 program runs from September 10, 2011 to June 17, 2012, with a break during the month of December. Acceptance into this program requires full participation in all program activities during this time period.
This year will provide a unique opportunity for CCOT Young Artists, as they will be invited to audition for artistic directors from around the country during the 2012 Opera America conference, which will be taking place in Philadelphia in June, as well as participate in the Opera America New Works Sampler.
This program is based in Philadelphia and the performance schedule demands all participants reside in (or relocate to) the Philadelphia area. No travel reimbursements are offered for this program; however, members of our Studio Artist Program are paid a weekly stipend during production weeks.
Resident Artist Program
The CCOT Resident Artist Program is designed as post-graduate educational training program for young performers. This program is meant to give practical professional experience for young singers, conductors, coaches, designers and directors, covering every aspect required of a professional: resume preparation; website preparation; auditioning; acting and stage movement; legal counsel and contracts; vocal production via coaching; role preparation, etc, all culminating with performance opportunities in full opera productions. All will participate in various outreach events during the year. Other opportunities will be possible in our Creative Development Projects new opera workshop productions. All Resident singers will cover and perform roles in CCOT season, in addition to any chorus assignments.
Accepted singers must commit to attending all scheduled sessions and performance assignments. Resident artists are not charged any fees for participation or coachings; nor do they receive any financial compensation as part of their participation. A maximum of nine singers will be selected for this program – four women and five men. One conductor may be selected to participate in this program.
Studio Artist Program
This program creates professional performance experiences for advanced emerging artists who have previously participated in one of the major Resident program offered by other opera companies, and/or have already participated in Center City Opera Theater’s Resident Artist program. Singers in this program will be expected to be at a high level of career preparedness. The Studio Artist Program is meant to be a highly competitive and intense program.
Studio artists will participate in training and coaching sessions, as well as play an integral part of our main stage productions and educational outreach projects during the year, giving them major roles experience in front of audiences. Other performance opportunities will be within our Creative Development Projects workshop productions, as singers will participate in the ongoing creation of current CCOT commissioning projects. Additional responsibilities will be assigned during this program related to outreach activities.
A maximum five singers will be selected for this program: generally one soprano, one mezzo-soprano, one tenor, one baritone and one bass-baritone. Studio artists are paid a weekly stipend during production weeks.
Additionally, there are openings for a studio stage director, studio coach, studio scenic designer, studio costume designer and studio lighting designer. These artists will be directly involved in all CCOT’s productions. Designers will be able to create and implement their concepts for various productions and workshops. Accepted designers/directors must commit to attending all scheduled professional training sessions and necessary production/performance assignments. Designers/Director will be paid a stipend for each production/workshop that they are involved.
The studio pianist-coach is paid a monthly stipend, and will also be expected to work part-time as the Music Administrator for CCOT. As such, duties will include scheduling necessary coaching sessions, rehearsals, outreach casting assignments, scheduling in the various venues, and well as other duties typical of a music administrator.
