About CAT
This participatory one-act opera-musical from Family Opera Initiative, is geared for younger audiences ages 4-10 and their families. Full of humor, light-heartedness, gaiety, and imagination, this gentle tale with uproarious music propels the very young and the young at heart to spread their wings, widen their horizons, and seek beyond themselves, as well as explore the worlds of animals, letters, words and music.
Educational Component
The audience becomes the Chorus and Orchestra of the opera-musical CAT, learning two or more of the songs, and playing percussion for the storm, under the baton of the conductor. Beyond the unique musical experience, the opera provides a fun introduction to spelling and counting for the younger children, while the older children learn the concept of syllables and words within words, as well as crazy vocabulary lists, which they can later expand upon. Bullying and interpersonal and group dynamics are significant themes of the opera and ripe for post-performance discussion both in the classroom and at home. Further lessons include introductions to the four voice types, and how classical music now mingles with jazz, rock, hip hop and other vernacular American musical forms to inspire the younger American composers of today.
Venue
Conceived to be performed in low-tech locations such as schools, all purpose rooms, small theaters, and outdoor venues, as well as professional theaters and performing arts centers.
