ORGANIZATION HISTORY
Founded in 1970, Opera for the Young (OFTY) has grown from a “labor of love” by six passionate musicians into a fully professional opera company, specializing in bringing opera to schools. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, OFTY continues to thrive while remaining unaffiliated with any other organization.
OUR HISTORY
Opera for the Young was created with a mission to introduce children to the magic of opera through professional, live performances. Recognizing the rich storytelling, compelling drama, and emotional depth of opera, OFTY’s founders saw an opportunity to connect with young audiences in a unique way. Over more than 50 seasons, OFTY has adapted classic operas for children, blending entertainment with education and inspiring creativity in the process.
- 1970s: OFTY began by performing one-act operas and operatic scenes in schools, planting the seeds of what would become a beloved tradition.
- 1980s: The company entered a new phase of growth, hiring its first Artistic Director and achieving nonprofit status. During this period, OFTY introduced teaching materials, a student chorus, and the innovative “Be a Designer” contest, strengthening the commitment to student involvement.
- 1990s: Continued development refined OFTY’s artistic model and enhanced its operational capacity, allowing the company to expand its touring reach.
- 2000s: This decade saw the creation of new repertoire, expanded teaching materials, and a focus on artistic quality. OFTY also established an endowment to ensure long-term stability. The company began renting its adaptations, allowing audiences across Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and beyond to experience its productions. Today, OFTY’s rental program has expanded to states such as California, Texas, Michigan, and even international locations like Ottawa and Newfoundland.
- 2010s: From 2011 to 2014, OFTY collaborated with the Madison Children’s Museum to run Build Your Own Opera summer camps, where students learned about opera through storytelling, music, and production design. This decade also saw the debut of Family Opera Day at Madison’s Overture Center and the premiere of new works, including Cinderella (Massenet, 2012), Beauty and the Beast (Grétry, 2014), and Super Storm! (Gendel & Garton Edie, 2018).
- 2010s: Throughout the 2010s, OFTY continued to expand its programming and community outreach. In 2016, the company introduced Ópera para los jóvenes, a dual-language program with Spanish-language teaching materials for schools with large Spanish-speaking populations. By 2018, all teaching materials were made accessible online, allowing students to independently prepare for their roles at home or school, reducing the time demands on teachers. This decade also marked the expansion of OFTY’s rental program, bringing its adaptations to new audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Through this continued growth, OFTY strengthened its commitment to student participation, fostering creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence in young performers.
- 2020s: In response to the pandemic, OFTY launched Hansel & Gretel: The Interactive Film, using tutorial videos to teach students their chorus songs and speaking lines. These videos have since become an integral part of the company’s educational resources. In 2021, OFTY set a goal to cast at least 25% BIPOC performers, a target that has been consistently exceeded. To attract high-caliber artists, OFTY introduced the Artist Assurance Policy in 2022, raised per diems annually, and adjusted artist fees every three years. Through these initiatives, OFTY remains dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive programming, while adapting to meet the needs of its young audiences.
Since its founding, Opera for the Young has introduced over 2.5 million children to the world of live, professional opera—delivering on the original vision to make opera accessible, exciting, and transformative for young audiences.