Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point

Announcing auditions for the 2026 season of:

Bernstein: Candide

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro (Italian)

Puccini: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi (Italian)

Studio Artist outreach production: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Artists will apply on YAP Tracker and may audition online beginning November 1, or at a number of locations across the US in January. Final application deadline is January 28, 2026.

Auditions for our 2026 season of:

Bernstein: Candide

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro (Italian)

Puccini: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi

Studio Artist outreach production: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Opera in the Ozarks is an intensive eight-week summer training and performance program for young singers, selected from competitive national auditions. OIO has a venerable, continuous history of training young artists since 1950. A 75th anniversary gala concert featuring famous alumni opened the new, state-of-the-art Inspiration Point Center for the Arts Theater

No other training institute for young artists offers the scope and depth of this total immersion into the process of preparing multiple performances of operas in the original language. Alumni of Opera in the Ozarks have sung in the major opera houses of the world; many others teach at prestigious colleges and universities. Artists are trained, conducted, coached, and encouraged by a supportive, professional staff. Included is all training, coaching, workshops, and nurturing required to present opera in full productions—scenery, lights, costumes, wigs—accompanied by a professional orchestra.

We select only 45 promising young vocalists, so with seven or eight performances of each opera and roles only double cast, all are assured of great opportunities for growth in and out of the spotlight. Numerous performances of the Studio Artist outreach opera for children will be presented in venues throughout Northwest Arkansas.

In addition to extensive performance opportunities, OIO artists benefit from:

• Daily classes alternating stage skills and movement/dance

• Offerings in related skills: stage combat, master classes, and career development sessions, taught by resident, guest, and OIO alumni artists

• Resident alumni voice teachers Lorraine Ernest (University of Oklahoma) and Bille Bruley (Rutgers University) offer weekly lessons, classes, and attend rehearsals leading up to openings to offer their insights to assure artists’ best performances.

• Experienced and skilled coaches guide you to bring your best to the stage

• In July, daily musical theatre workshop sessions lead to two popular Broadway Cabaret evenings

• Emerging Artists will be featured in principal and supporting roles or chorus in two productions. Lesser-experienced Studio Artists are featured in their own traveling children’s opera production

Up to four full-scholarship awards are available for Emerging Artist applicants who audition live or online by December 12. Those selected for these awards will be notified by December 22 and commit to joining the OIO 2026 Company by January 5. Those not selected for early admission will be given full consideration for admission and financial aid in February.