SMARTS students get into the act

Youths to present a night at the opera

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Two original operas created by area children will be performed at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ford Family Recital Hall in the DeYor Performing Arts Center, 260 W. Federal St. downtown.

Two short operas were written by students in the Youngstown State University SMARTS (Students Motivated by the Arts) “Telling Stories through Opera.” More than 40 first- through 12th-grade students participated.

The first, “Kid Wonders,” was created by first- through third-graders and examines the many ways that children wonder about the world.

“The 2009 Young Persons Almanac of Relationships,” created by fourth- through 12th-grade students, revolves around the relationship between a bandit and a princess.

Both operas feature students from Youngstown and throughout the region, along with original music, sets and dialogue written by them. Several of this year’s opera students have participated in the SMARTS Original Opera for many years.

This year’s production builds on the success of the past three years’ work with two age/grade groups, said Becky Keck, SMARTS director.

Students are responsible for all aspects of the opera, including documenting the project, which will be featured during the reception after the performance.

“We are excited to share our students’ talents and successes with the public in this annual performance. This process requires a huge commitment of students and their families, and we are very fortunate to work with them,” Keck said.

“Members of the SMARTS Strings violin program will participate in the orchestra for the first time this year,” she said.

General admission is $1 at the door.

SMARTS is an arts education effort among Youngstown State University’s College of Fine & Performing Arts, the Beeghly College of Education, the Youngstown city schools and many arts organizations in the community.

The program offers free quality arts education classes in music, dance, theater, visual arts and creative writing. SMARTS Original Opera is a project of SMARTS and the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s Creating Original Opera teacher training program.