KALAHEO — The performers of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre’s Opera Express Program visited Kaua‘i schools this week, with a children’s version of “The Mikado.” “We want to spread the word about opera and teach them a little bit about it,” said
KALAHEO — The performers of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre’s Opera Express Program visited Kaua‘i schools this week, with a children’s version of “The Mikado.”
“We want to spread the word about opera and teach them a little bit about it,” said HOT’s education coordinator Allyson Paris. “This is an opportunity they probably won’t get anywhere else because we only have the one opera house on O‘ahu.”
Educational tidbits are added in the performance to give the elementary students more than just entertainment.
“We incorporated some educational things for them, like explaining to them what opera is,” Paris said.
“The Mikado” follows the story of love-struck Nanki-Poo (Eddie Goldman), the son of the Emperor of Japan who fled his father’s court to avoid marrying the ugly Katisha. Disguising himself as a traveling minstrel, he captures the love of Yum Yum (Winnie So).
Yum Yum is engaged to the Lord Executioner Ko-Ko (Andy Maddock). Because he is unable to marry Yum Yum, Nanki-Poo offers himself as the next subject for public execution to Yum Yum’s betrothed, the Lord High Executioner. In a comic turn of events, everything turns out right for the two young lovers when the emperor arrives searching for his missing son.
Through this show, the students not only learn about opera, but concepts of love and honesty.
Prior to the performance, teachers received packets of information about the company and worksheets to incorporate with certain subjects.
“The packets also include content that complies with the state standards,” Paris said. “There are exercises where the kids could learn how to build a set and, to do that, they need to use math. There’s also a writing exercise in the packet where the student is a reporter and writes about what he watched in the show.”
The packets also included sheet music to prepare the students for audience participation. The students sang along and some even got to be in the show.
“Trying to get the energy going is probably one of the hardest things to do in these educational shows,” said soprano So. “But these kids were really good.”
Baritone Maddock enjoys performing these mini-operas for students and playing off their energy.
“It’s such a great chance to bring opera to them since they normally wouldn’t get a chance to see us anywhere else,” he said.
The same goes for Goldman.
“Just seeing their faces light up during the performances is a great feeling,” he said.
Kalaheo School principal Erik Burkman was happy to welcome Opera Express to the school.
“I think opera or any kind of performing arts is good for the schools,” Burkman said. “It gives the children the opportunity to see a quality product. Any time they get to see a quality product, it sets a good example for them that they can do something like that in the future.”
The production for the educational program is primarily aimed at pre-schoolers through fifth grade and features three local artists with piano accompaniment.
Each year, Opera Express reaches about 25,000 youngsters and gives promising local singers valued performance opportunities.
During any given season, Opera Express gives 75 performances, with at least 10 performances for each Neighbor Island.
At the end of this month, members of HOT return to the Kalaheo School to conduct acting workshops for the drama club.
For more information on the opera company and its education programs, visit www.hawaiiopera.org.
• Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
