Happenings at Skylark - August 2022

“To lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” (John Lubbock)

Just like the pictures and stories we see in clouds, opera stories are many and varied. As Skylark Opera Theatre prepares for its 43rd year of bringing opera and musical theater to life on stage, we count on your support. We love hearing from you and seeing you at our performances. Here’s hoping that you have some time to spend enjoying these last summer days.

Opera and Fun Go Together at the Minnesota State Fair!

Come to the great Minnesota Get-Together and take in some opera and musical theater selections while enjoying all of the sights and sounds of the Fair. Skylark performers will present Arts A ‘Fair pop-up performances on August 25th, 26th and 27th. You can catch the performances at the North End Plaza at 3:00, 3:45, 5:15, and 6:00pm. On Senior Day, September 1st, be sure to check out the Skylark performance at the Dan Patch Park stage, thanks to the generous support of UCare. Stop and say hello and show your support for Skylark Opera Theatre!

UCare Support for Skylark for Seniors Continues

UCare will continue as a premiere sponsor of Skylark Opera Theatre’s ever-popular Skylark for Seniors program, which is also supported by a generous grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Our Skylark performers—Laurel Armstrong, Corissa Bussian, Ben Dutcher, Jennifer Eckes, Siena Forest, Rob Riordan, Justin Spenner, KrisAnne Weiss, Luke Williams, and our piano accompanists, Jared Miller and Carson Rose Schneider—have been bringing an amazing selection of songs to seniors all summer long. With UCare’s and MSAB's generous support, Skylark for Seniors performances will continue through the end of 2022.

Amahl and the Night Visitors Tickets on Sale in September

Skylark Opera Theatre returns to the Andy Boss Thrust Stage at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul for nine performances of Amahl and the Night Visitors December 3&4; 10&11; and 17&18. Make Gian Carlo Menotti’s beloved story part of your holiday entertainment plans. Tickets will be on sale beginning in September.

Advocating for the Arts---Your Voices are Needed

In June, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released the draft fiscal year 2023 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill that includes funding of $207 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. We all know the important ways that arts organizations like Skylark Opera Theatre contribute to a vibrant community. It is important that our congressional Representatives from Minnesota (and other states where our donors and supporters live) hear your voices raised in support of funding these arts agencies. They are the source of funding for arts programs here in Minnesota and throughout the country. Keep up to date on advocacy needs around legislation for the arts at the websites for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and Americans for the Arts and use their easy templates to make your voices heard.

Skylark Connections

Skylark’s music director, Carson Rose Schneider, is the pianist for Lakes Area Music Festival's production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, August 12th and 14th at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts in Brainerd, MN. Find more information here. Carson’s busy summer at Skylark continues with Skylark for Seniors, our appearances at the Minnesota State Fair, and her role as music director for our return production of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Be sure to check out Basil Considine’s July 6, 2022 interview of Skylark Opera Theatre’s multi-talented Interim Artistic Director, Gary Briggle. You’ll find the interview here. You’ll be able to see Gary in the upcoming production of A Servants’ Christmas at the History Theatre. Learn more here.

The 29th Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival opens on August 4th and continues through August 14th. Minnesota Fringe connects adventurous artists with adventurous audiences by creating open, supportive forums for diverse artistic expression. There are dozens of works at hundreds of performances by more than 1,000 artists on a variety of stages. Catch board member, Jack Neveaux, in the comedy MY LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY FAMILY, at the Bryant Lake Bowl. For information about the festival see their website.

We count on your donations! Please click here to keep Skylark singing. Thank you!

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.