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Opera Workshop
Dr. Wayne Kompelien of Liberty's musicdepartmentis trying to dispel the myththatoperaisboring by "exposingall to American opera." He created the Opera Workshop, which began two years ago, to successfullycompletethis endeavor.
The workshop was held December 19, 21 and22. The title of the workshop was, "Is itBroadway, or is itOpera?" Theproductionnumberswere selections from "Sweeney Todd,""Les Miserables,""Phantom of the Opera,""WestSide Story," "Showboat,""The Ballad ofBaby Doe," "Susannah" and "Porgy and Bess."
The workshop hasadifferentgoalformusic students. It givesthem a chance toperform onstage, displayacharacterand maintain singing.
It may alsobe considered a singing-acting class. "The workshop moldssinger and actor," Kompelien said
Thereare 12 to 13 peoplein the class, whichisonly offeredduringthe fallsemester. Mostof the students are musicmajorsandsingerswhoare alreadyfamiliar with acting. "We provide another opportunity to perform,"Kompeliensaid
Eachstudentwasinvolvedin either a solo or duet The castperformedin "SweeneyTodd."Mrs. Vanessa Norman, anew full-time faculty member, accompanied them on the piano.
Theperformers were Cris O'Bryon,John Stroupe, Elizabeth Burns,Joel Gay, Steven Custer,Rachel Heer,DanielPrunaru,DanielVinersar,DawnTuttle, Jennifer Kelly,Elizabeth Maben,JenniferRoberts, Amy Chrispher,and Dr.Kompelien,director and performer.
The workshop was a success each nightwith an open and receptiveaudience Nextfall another performancewill begivenby the workshop.
