The Dayton Opera Chorus is holding auditions on May 17 and May 20. Read below for more information on audition requirements and to reserve an audition time.

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Singers—Principal Roles, Main Stage Productions

There are no current auditions scheduled at this time

Dayton Opera’s home, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, offers a wonderful, world-class facility for its fully staged productions. Artistic Director Kathleen Clawson will hold main-stage auditions as needed. The company will consider representing as well as a limited number of independent artists for auditions.

Singers—Artist-in-Residence Training Program

There are no current auditions scheduled at this time

Artists-in-Residence are involved in the company’s in-school education, community programs, and main-stage productions. These are full-time, temporary, paid positions for singers who must have at least an undergraduate degree with some stage experience (college and/or professional).

Spring auditions are held in New York City and Dayton for the following season; an accompanist is usually provided. Not everyone who applies is invited to audition. The duration of the program ranges from 8 to 15 weeks. Artists receive a weekly stipend; housing and travel to Dayton are provided. The timing of the program varies each season depending on the repertoire.

Singers—Dayton Opera Chorus

Dayton Opera’s paid professional chorus performs in main-stage productions.

Auditions are open to all community singers and are held annually or as needed. Singers must prepare one piece in a foreign language and one piece in English. The pieces do NOT have to be from opera repertoire. An audition accompanist is provided. Chorus rehearsals for productions are held on evenings and weekends.

Auditions for the Dayton Opera Chorus are scheduled for May 17 and May 20.
Current Opera Chorus members are required to audition for the 2023-2024 Season.

All auditions will be held in the Mathile Theatre located in the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center (1 W 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402).

Wednesday, May 17: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 20: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Singers are asked to bring 2 contrasting pieces, with one in English and the other in Italian, French, or German. Bring sheet music.

The selections do not have to be from the opera repertoire. Auditions are open to all voices, and an accompanist will be provided at no charge.

Those selected for Dayton Opera Chorus may perform in one or more of the following 2023–2024 Opera Series productions:

Music rehearsals will take place prior to staging rehearsals. Auditionees do not need to be available for all three productions in order to join the Dayton Opera Chorus.

Artistic Director Kathleen Clawson and Chorus Master Jeffrey Powell will hear all auditions. Auditions must be scheduled in advance.

Schedule Your Chorus Audition

Supernumeraries

There are no current auditions scheduled at this time.

Supernumeraries or “supers” are non-singing, non-speaking roles (similar to “extras” in movies) that aid in propelling the storyline of an opera. Supers are volunteers and may play anything from a Cardinal (Tosca) to courtesans (Rigoletto); from soldiers (Carmen) to servants (Aida); or nobles, handmaidens, townspeople, or even animals.

Depending on the stage director’s concept, supers may be needed to fit a specific size, age, or look, or a more general need may exist for men, women, or children. Supers must be able to attend ALL posted staging rehearsals (evenings and weekends) and performances for that opera.