Terms and Conditions about The Opera Atelier, Inc. Auditions, Casting, and Artistic Fees

Auditions are part of the artist’s life in Opera, until they are not needed any longer, usually when the artist is well established or widely known. Auditions come in different varieties; video, sound, and in-person. There are different styles of presenting oneself. But even now, there must be some sort of audition. Most companies require a recent video as a starting point. That usually works as a prequalifying step. 

Casting is up to the company, its preferences, and requirements, and   usually happens behind closed doors. It is uncontestable and final. Opera companies will sometimes give feedback to singers who are not selected but that is not always the case. Many young singers take advantage of auditioning feedback sessions offered by the National Opera Center. Members of The Opera Atelier Team often travel to opera houses to hear performances. This helps with casting. TOA casting is a careful, respectful, and thoughtful process. The process of selection starts with a recent Vimeo/YouTube video, and the artist’s resume, and a complete online application on The TOA website or YAP Tracker. Preselected candidates are then invited to audition either in-person on online. Successful candidates are offered roles. Casting involves TOA directors, as well as leading performers, musicians, and external advisors and consultants with ample knowledge and experience in the opera world. Exceptionally, The Opera Atelier may identify and invite specific emerging or seasoned artists to audition to take on or cover a particular role, or instrumentalists to participate in the orchestra or to do a solo in a concert.  

TOA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the art of opera through performance, education, and community engagement, in synergy with other art forms.  TOA presents both modern and traditional stagings, endeavoring to achieve the highest musical level possible, and with the highest artistic standards in mind. TOA makes judicious use of funds and resources to create meaningful productions in which the artistic imagination takes precedence over the trappings of the operatic art form. The Opera Atelier’s casting is inclusive and respectful. The Opera Atelier is wholly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. TOA programs are open to all regardless of ability, disability, age, religion, race, sexual orientation, or gender identification. Our culture of inclusion applies to casting as well as to the delivery of all programs.  The Opera Atelier employs PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE (the person before the diagnostic), as widely recommended by advocacy groups in the United States. As part of its mission, The Opera Atelier offers a creative platform where artists of different generations and the audience inspire each other. 

Members of the TOA Team have had significant experience in artist management, so TOA understands the operatic art as well as the requirements and intricacies of the opera industry. TOA, cognizant of the steps that young singers must take to develop a career in opera, joins forces with other industry professionals to provide opportunities for young talents who are seriously committed to advancing their careers. The Opera Atelier is an active member of Opera America and Operabase. 

Artist fees in the opera field vary widely. They depend on the company budget, the number of productions, the cost of venues, and a variety of other factors. The budgets of opera companies vary greatly as well. The Opera Atelier schedule of fees at the present is not commensurate with those of A opera houses. In addition, TOA’s fee schedule is not a “one-size fits all”. It takes into consideration the experience and preparation of each individual singer, as well as whether the singer has already debuted the role with orchestra, or the level of his/her professional accomplishments to date, as well as the relative importance of the engagement.  Another factor is TOA’s experience with a particular artist, and their work ethics, and artistry. 

TOA seeks artists with these profile elements: 
- technical mastery 
-understanding of the text and ways to convey it 
-voice and repertory presented match
-good acting ability – understand opera as drama
-musicianship 
-willingness to listen and put into practice the directions of the artistic team members 
-appreciate and respect their colleagues’ talents
-get along with everyone 
-understand that the production’s success depends on everyone 
-responsibility to oneself and to the production as a whole

These elements are reflected in TOA’s artists agreement, as well as the calendar of rehearsals.  

Fees for singers with relatively little experience are different from those of experienced professional singers who have demonstrated a high level of artistry and accomplishments and may have already sung a particular role.  In general, when auditioning singers for a particular role, TOA will prefer to engage singers who have previously sung the role, or who have memorized it in its entirety, unless the singer is an exceptional musician and a fast learner and has had considerable experience as a professional singer. TOA often uses the Operabase casting tool as a reference. TOA engages young and seasoned artists in a variety of roles. Artists in The Opera Atelier production casts include both managed and unmanaged singers, instrumentalists, directors, and conductors. Out-of-town artists may apply, provided they are covering their own costs to audition. If selected, they must cover their own travel, plus room and board. TOA is not responsible for visas, travel arrangements, work permits, etc. They are solely the responsibility of each individual artist. TOA complies with all IRS requirements, checks work eligibility, and authorization for employment. 

These are the reasons why we recommend that artists read the instructions thoroughly, before filling out the required online application form for audition. Usually, The Opera Atelier receives several applications for a particular role. Please note that The Opera Atelier does not divulge fees ahead of time. The fee is usually established at the beginning of the rehearsal period, and taking into consideration the season budget, the costs of venues and productions, and the artistic contribution and experience the artist brings to the production versus the investment of time, effort, and resources the company will make to prepare the artist for the production. 

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© The Opera Atelier, Inc.