THE RESIDENT COMPANY

Formally inaugurated in 1988, Opera San José’s resident company is unique in the United States. Opera San José seeks out unusually gifted, professional operatic artists in the first years of their singing careers and offers them annual contracts as  artists.

The advantages of a resident company are prolonged, detailed staging rehearsal periods, the development of a well integrated vocal ensemble, and thus highly integrated theatrical and musical performances.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In addition to four mainstage productions, members of the resident company perform for the community at large through educational programming for youth and adults.

Educational Programming K-College

Student Matinees/Final Evening Dress Rehearsal: One mid-day matinee performance and evening dress rehearsal of each mainstage production is offered to schools that participate in OSJ's in-school programs.

In-School Programs:

Hansel and Gretel, a one-act opera, performed in schools throughout the school year.

Vocal/Drama Masterclass: a resident artist(s) presents a masterclass geared towards middle school and high school students, focusing on healthy vocal technique, breathing fundamentals and principles of good diction. For musical theatre and drama students, the presentation is tailored to also address the topics of role preparation, stage movement and character development.

Let’s Make an Opera!: Each member of the resident company will mentor a group of schoolchildren through the process of creating, producing and performing an original music theater piece each season.

Educational Programming for Adults

Previews, Introduction to Opera, and Post-performance 'Talk-Backs':: Offered in conjunction with each mainstage production, there is one preview and four Introduction to Opera talks.

1. Tuesday Previews feature sung excerpts from the production with piano accompaniment and a talk by Larry Hancock.
    

2. Introduction to Opera discussions take place immediately prior to performances in the California Theatre; they do not involve singing. To access these pre-performance talks, use the Market Street entrance.
    

3. Post-performance 'Talk-Back': Approximately ten minutes after a mainstage performance, members of the cast will re-appear on stage to share their thoughts and take questions from the audience.

Opera in the Neighborhood Concerts: These concerts are designed to introduce minority groups, including troubled youth, the disadvantaged elderly, the disabled, and racial and ethnic minorities, to the operatic voice through performance of operatic excerpts and other vocal music. Each member of the resident company will perform in approximately eight of fifteen Neighborhood Concerts each season.

Community Wide Performances: Appearances for a wide range of service clubs and social functions are used to introduce operatic singing to the community. Each member of the resident company will appear in approximately twenty-five of the fifty community performances presented annually.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in being considered for a position in Opera San José's resident company, send your resume, and professional head-shot to Matt Siek, Opera San José, 2149 Paragon Drive, San José, CA 95131-1312. You may e-mail your resume to siek@operasj.org. If there is the potential of a position in the company for you, you will be contacted regarding a preliminary audition.