The University of Arkansas Opera Theater, under the Direction of the innovative producer/director/conductor, Sarah Caldwell, is in the process of becoming a renowned center for the development of the singing actor. Ms. Caldwell, along with a staff, which includes Artist-in-Residence, Richard Crist - Acting/Vocal Coach; Composer-in-Residence, Christopher Lacy - Coach/Pianist; and Michael Widlake - Coach/Pianist are turning out opera singers trained in the style of the school of Walter Felsenstein and Boris Goldovsky. This versatile, multitalented staff is capable in musical, theatrical, and linguistic areas.

The Opera Theater works on many different scenes during the year with public performances at the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall and one or two fully staged productions at the Walton Arts Center. The Opera Theater members have the opportunity to work with sets and costumes from Ms. Caldwell's Opera Company of Boston collection, work alongside professional singing actors, and benefit from the experience of many visiting artists. Recent artists have been: Opera singers James Billings (over two decades with New York City Opera - Gilbert and Sullivan Specialist), Richard Crist (Opera Company of Boston, Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Hamburg State Opera), Sarah Reese (Metropolitan Opera, Opera Company of Boston), Noel Velasco (First winner of the Pavarotti Competition - Opera Company of Boston), stage directors Sasha and David Pressman ("One Life to Live" for 29 years, New York Actors Studio, Boston University), chorographer Pat Birch (many broadway credits including, original Broadway productions of Grease, Little Night Music, You're a Good Man Charley Brown, Bernstein's Mass), and scenic designers of Opera/Musical Theater/Ballet, Herbert Senn and Helen Pond. Our voice faculty has instruction from the seasoned performers, Soprano - Janice Yoes, Mezzo - Elaine Cencel, Tenor - Eddy Jones, and Bass/Baritone - Richard Crist.

If you are a beginner, a semi-professional, or just someone in the Community who likes to sing, we have room for you in the U of A Opera Theater or Opera Theater Chorus. There is financial help for our advanced students, graduate students, and vocal fellows.