SOX program embarks on new season
Shreveport is no stranger to the performing arts, and in an effort to reach a wider audience and provide educational opportunities, the Shreveport Opera Xpress program is continuing to do their part in making opera more accessible to everyone.
Their mission and purpose is to be the educational and outreach touring component of Shreveport Opera. The only program of its kind in Louisiana, SOX brings opera to schools throughout the state, as well as East Texas and Southern Arkansas.
Amanda Gouthiere, executive director of SOX said the group “works to fulfill its mission to provide educational programming and outreach to children, youth and adults in the Ark-La-Tex region; SOX reaches new audiences and makes opera accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic, racial, geographic or any other factors.”
SOX was created in response to a need in the community and surrounding areas. While fleeting in many institutions, Shreveport Opera saw to it that arts education would not be lost.
“Arts education is often viewed as secondary in the level of importance with many schools,” Gouthiere said. “Several have lost their art and music teachers due to budget cuts. In an effort to increase standardized test scores, administrators are spending large amounts of time on reading, language arts, math, science and social studies. While beneficial, research has shown that exposure to music, drama and art education helps students recognize and foster diverse talents, increase cognitive skills, enhances vocabulary and language skills, learning retention and critical thinking skills.”
“In response to this need, SOX was established during the 2000-01 season, debuting on the Children’s Stage at Shreveport’s Red River Revel,” she said. “SOX began its first season by touring two children’s operas ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin.’” A component to SOX performances are the messages received by the audience, specifically geared toward the youth in attendance.
“Over the 14 years of the program, in addition to opera education, social messages have included healthy eating and exercise, the dangers of smoking cigarettes, litter prevention, energy conservation and recycling, bullying prevention, kindness and acceptance and so forth,” Gouthiere said.
This season, SOX is presenting three performances. “The Ugly Duckling” is an opera for children grades pre-K through fifth. Two childhood classics, “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Three Little Pigs,” will be brought to life during the 45-minute performance. The show will send positive messages about acceptance, friendship and kindness, while promoting a positive self-esteem. “Stop, Bully!” will be a world premiere and also for children grades pre-K through fifth. This opera has important lessons of acceptance, individuality and inclusiveness, and will encourage conversation about becoming a “Bully-Free School.” The third show, “Operatizers,” is a 45-minute opera of “opera arias and Broadway show tunes designed to expose middle and high school students and adult audiences to opera and musical theater.”
The roles of these shows are regarded as coveted positions. Once chosen, these artists have a full schedule ahead of them.
“SOX resident artists are chosen each year from across the nation through a highly competitive audition process held in New York City,” Gouthiere said.
The SOX resident artists for the 2014-15 season are Sarah Bauer, soprano; Gillian Cotter, mezzo-soprano; Johnathan Riesen, tenor; Ryan Bradford, baritone; and Michael Gaertner, pianist.
The audiences for these shows aren’t limited to just schools, though any public school is welcome to schedule an event at no cost to the institution.
To schedule a SOX performance or for more information, call 318-227-9503 or email executivedirector@shreveportopera.org.
–Katie Ho
