Help All Aboard Opera! set sail
Ahoy there! We are Emily and Katie, and we're the founders (and co-captains) of All Aboard Opera!, an opera company that aims to break down traditional barriers to the genre of opera. All Aboard Opera! is a new company dedicated to accessibility, innovation and adventure - we combine operatic performance with contemporary, immersive staging techniques to create unique performances where our audiences take charge of their own journeys.
We will embrace immersive and interactive techniques (such as Game Theatre, and digital theatre) to create operatic experiences, alongside our more conventionally staged productions. Our productions will be staged in English to encourage as wide an audience as possible, and we place creative thinking and inclusivity at the forefront of all our projects.
We have a saying at All Aboard Opera!: with a can-do spirit and a bit of gaffer tape, anything is possible! Creating immersive productions comes with a unique set of challenges, but instead of shying away from these we embrace them. Opera boils down to one thing: a story. All Aboard Opera! will approach every production by looking at the story first; dividing it into different elements, breaking down the characters and their motivations, and then piecing it back together in a fun and immersive way.
With All Aboard Opera! we also aim to develop our unique education programme - Opera Shorts. We will produce condensed operas and workshops, aiming to engage new audiences through work in schools, community groups, and care homes. We want to ensure that everybody has the chance to experience the joy of opera, no matter their background. Opera is fun, and for everyone!
We are about to graduate from our Masters at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance during the most difficult time for the arts in living memory. With funding cuts, job losses and company closures happening in swathes across the UK, All Aboard Opera! is a bold adventure into truly unknown waters. We believe that with our accessible and innovative productions we can: contribute to the UK opera scene in a meaningful way, engage new audiences, and provide a much-needed platform for young singers, in a time where artistic work is hard to come by even for seasoned pros.
But All Aboard Opera! can't set sail alone! We need your support - landlubbers, swashbucklers and sea captains alike. This money will go towards initial productions and the launch of our education programme, and will help us embark on this scary (but very exciting) voyage.
It's been a difficult year for everyone, but every donation helps - no matter how small. Once we get out of harbour we hope to welcome you aboard one of our fantastic new productions, workshops, or customisable events.
It's time to weigh anchor, hoist the colours, and unfurl those treasure maps - All Aboard Opera! is ready to board when you are.
Emily & Katie x
