As the educational touring component of Shreveport Opera and the only opera education and outreach program for this state, Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) reaches into underserved schools, community centers, children's hospitals and any number of other venues to serve those who may otherwise never have the opportunity to experience live operatic performances. In its 11 year history, SOX has reached over 450,000 youth. The performances provide an enriching cultural experience as well as teach valuable lessons. To schedule a SOX performance at a school, library, community center, nonprofit organization, or special event, please call Amanda J. Gouthiere, Executive Director, at (318) 227-9503 or email executivedirector@shreveportopera.org.

For the 2011-2012 season, SOX will present:

The Green Team - a 45-minute opera for children grades Pre-K- 5th. It will educate children about simple recycling and energy conservation tasks that can have a positive impact on their world. Becoming a member of a Green Team is not only helpful to the family budget; it’s also a simple way to help our planet be a safer place to live. The Green Team will encourage children to recycle and conserve to help our planet be a healthier place to live for everyone. We have enlisted the help of "Curb-i" the frog and his new friends to tell the story.

GUIDE pdf   |   CERTIFICATE pdf

Stop, Bully! – a world premiere 45-minute opera for students grades Pre-K-5th. Today, 1 in 7 students is either a bully or victim of a bully. In the United States alone, 5 million school aged children in kindergarten through 8th grade have been affected by bullying. Researchers have found that 60% of boys who were bullies in middle-school had at least one criminal conviction by the age of 24. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, victims of bullying are more likely to suffer physical problems such as colds and coughs, sore throats, poor appetite, and night waking. Through music and story, SOX will engage students to dialogue, be a part of the solution and commit to a Bully-Free School.

GUIDE pdf   |   CERTIFICATE pdf

Operatizers, a 45 minute concert designed for middle and high school students, will introduce them to the art form of opera through a presentation of popular opera and musical theatre selections. During this concert, students will quickly realize that many of the selections are familiar through commercials, radio and the internet. Students will be introduced to vocal technique, acting, singing, stage direction, and career opportunities in the field of opera.

GUIDE pdf

SOX will also offer an optional interactive version of The Green Team and Stop, Bully! These 2-hour extended programs will begin with a workshop setting followed by the production “starring” select students. Students chosen by their teachers will be instructed on vocal technique, acting, singing, and stage direction. They will learn about the history of opera along with career opportunities including costuming and set design. The final production will allow the selected students to share their new knowledge with their peers.

SOX History
Shreveport Opera Xpress, or SOX, the touring arm of Shreveport Opera, was established at the beginning of the 2000-2001, debuting on the Children's Stage at Shreveport's Red River Revel. It was a very successful performance leading to the formation of Shreveport Opera's touring program. One of the principle purposes of SOX is to educate and encourage everyone in our region to have an understanding of opera and the arts that is inclusive and fun - not boring and loud. Opera is not breastplates, horns and spears. Opera across America is generally believed to be a complex and expensive art form seldom available except to those living in large Metropolitan areas. It was the goal of SOX to bring opera directly to schools for children and educators throughout the Ark-La-Tex, and also provide a professional, affordable evening of opera or musical theater programs for various community organizations and their patrons.

With these objectives in mind, SOX began its first season by touring two children's operas, Little Red Riding Hood and The Pied Piper of Hamelin, both by contemporary American composer Seymour Barab, whose works set the standard for children's opera today. In addition, a Broadway musical review was organized that could be presented by organizations for their own theaters or fund-raising events. To date a diverse selection of operas have been performed, many with an additional messages that affect our young people today. Along with opera education, recent opera topics performed have included messages like; the importance of diet and exercise, not smoking, not littering, and this season we will sing about the importance of energy conservation and recycling in, "The Green Team."

In its first season, SOX performed for over 46,000 students and adults in schools and other venues. Since its debut, SOX has performed for nearly 400,000 students throughout the region. As the tour evolves, each year finds a new level of professionalism. We currently hold national auditions in NYC in order to engage the most talented young opera singers for the 9 month program. The positive impact on young and old alike has allowed Shreveport Opera to have an ever-growing presence across the Tri-State area. SOX performances have become a staple addition in school districts throughout NW Louisiana. Now in its tenth season, we look forward to creating future opera-lovers while enriching communities through the love of art and opera!

Shreveport Opera Xpress, or SOX, the educational and outreach program of Shreveport Opera, was established at the beginning of the 2000-2001 season, debuting on the Children’s Stage at the Red River Revel. This very successful performance led to the formation of Shreveport Opera’s touring program. One of the principle purposes of SOX is to educate and encourage everyone in our region to have an understanding of opera and teach that it is inclusive, entertaining and fun.