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The Penn State Downtown Theatre was a lively place from noon to one yesterday. Emily Rowlands, coordinator of Research Publications' Research Unplugged series, introduced Susan Boardman, associate professor of music, to an audience of over 60 attendees, including the 3rd-5th grade students from Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania, the region's newest public charter school. Boardman, who teaches voice and directs the Penn State Opera Theatre, presented an entertaining lecture and performance demonstration titled "Bravissimo! Turning Kids into Opera Buffs."
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Dr. Boardman opened the hour by giving the audience an overview of opera's history in the United States, with a focus on the development of children's opera as its own distinct form. She pointed to 19th century European operas as the foundation for the uniquely American musical theater genre and described the children's operas Penn State has staged, under her direction, including "The Prairie Dog That Met the President," composed and written by Penn State colleagues, composer Bruce Trinkley (professor of music) and Jason Charnesky (instructor of English). Their collaborative work was a finalist in the 2005 Chamber Opera Competition of the National Opera Association (NOA).
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After the lecture, Dr. Boardman's graduate students in music (left to right, Danya Katok, Brendan Buckley, Sarah Slabinski, Meredith Mecum, and Mike Hill) took the floor to perform a scene from "The Prairie Dog That Met the President," with musical accompaniment by pianist, Cynthia Mills. The opera's composer, Bruce Trinkley, was in attendance.
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Next to be performed was a scene from composer/librettist Seymour Barab's Little Red Riding Hood, "the most popular children's opera in the United States," according to Boardman.
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With minimal costumes but maximum talent and energy, Melissa Chavez and David Bruce convey a dramatic moment from "Little Red Riding Hood."
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Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania students take in the scene.
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Young faces reflect the enduring suspense and appeal of Red Riding Hood and the wolf.
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After the performances, the audience participated in a lively question and answer exchange with the performers.
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Bruce Trinkley answered a student's question about "how you know when the opera you're writing is good enough."
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Students posed with the cast after the event and even tried on some of the flamingo costumes, pink feather boas.
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Helping themselves to complimentary refreshments, provided at each weekly Research Unplugged event, 12-1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Penn State Downtown Theatre.
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At the conclusion of the day's program, Dr. Boardman accepts a Research Unplugged mug, along with the thanks of the Research Publications office for a successful afternoon! Pictured, left to right, are Melissa Chavez, Brendan Buckley, Mike Hill, Susan Boardman, David Bruce, Sarah Slabinski, Meredith Mecum, and Danya Katok.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
