Be part of an award-winning and innovative tradition. Lawrence students, faculty, and productions are consistently recognized with prestigious awards.

The award-winning opera curriculum is an important element of singer training at Lawrence and is uniquely designed with the specific needs of the undergraduate singer in mind. The curriculum is divided into technique-building classes and performance experiences using the techniques garnered in those classes, selections of which are outlined below. The classes and productions establish an environment for the student to incrementally build and hone the craft of a skilled singing actor.

Recently, Lawrence students have received recognition for:

I pagliacci (Nedda/Silvio duet) (2020)

  • 1st place, National Opera Association-Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition, Division 1

 

Mass (Bernstein) (2019)

  • 3rd prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 4
  • 3rd prize in The American Prize, Opera Production, college/university division

 

Opera Scenes: Spring Awakening, "Word of Your Body (Reprise)" (2019)

  • Second prize at the National Opera Association-Collegiate Opera Scenes competition, musical theatre division

 

Le comte Ory (Count Ory) (2018)

  • First prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 4
  • Judges' Citation in The American Prize, Opera Production, college/university division

 

Hydrogen Jukebox (2017)

  • First prize (tied with The Beggar's Opera below) in The American Prize - Best Opera Production (college/university division)
  • Third prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 4

 

Straight from the Hip: An Evening of Improvised Micro-Operas on Gun Presence in Our Community (2017)

  • Third prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 1

 

The Beggar's Opera (2016)

  • First prize (tied with Hydrogen Jukebox above) in The American Prize - Best Opera Production (college/university division)
  • First prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 6
  • First Place, Best of Local Productions, Warren Gerds, critic for Channel 5 WFRV (164 total productions in both local and professional categories)

 

Expressions of Acceptance: An Evening of Improvised Micro-Operas (2016)

  • Third prize (tie) at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 1

 

Opera Scenes: Le nozze di Figaro, Act 3 Sextet (2016)

  • First prize at the National Opera Association-Collegiate Opera Scenes competition, Division 1

 

The Tender Land (2015)

  • Second prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production, Division 2

Highlights & Features
Music & Arts

"Breathe" - a multidisciplinary water opera

Breathe: a multi-disciplinary water opera, is an ethereal production that utilizes the Lawrence University Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center as the performance space.