The Special Education Foundation's SEF Presents! Arts in the Classroom program partners with local arts organizations to present music, theater, and dance to students in the Special School District schools across St. Louis County.

With support from a grant from the Regional Arts Commission and additional private donations, students at Southview School and Northview High School were introduced to the world of opera last month through Opera Theatre of St. Louis' Opera on the Go.

The Opera Theatre visit included a 30-minute semi-staged performance of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha.

In a story posted on the SSD website, Morgan Fisher, Opera Theatre's Senior Manager of Education and Engagement, shared the students' overwhelming enthusiasm, saying, "When we were at Southview last year, our singers noted it was one of their favorite performances of the whole tour. We visited about 20 schools, so we're really excited to grow this partnership and perform at Northview too."

In addition to the performance, students were captivated during three pre-performance workshops.

Music & Drama Workshop

During the music and drama portion, students delved into the storyline of "Treemonisha" and learned key opera terms, such as syncopation, overture, and finale.

Character & Movement Workshop

In the movement workshop, students practiced the choreography for the opera's final song, "A Real Slow Drag." At the end of the show, students had the option to join the cast on stage to showcase what they had learned, providing a unique and enriching learning experience.

Makeup Workshop

Students learned a few basic makeup techniques to fully establish their characters' ages, personalities, and appearances. The students thoroughly enjoyed seeing participants transformed right before their eyes.

"I learned that you can create almost anything with makeup," said Amare Mason, senior at Northview.  

"That was my favorite part of the whole thing," said Daulton Enlo, a sophomore at Southview. "I didn't go on stage, but I learned some of the steps, and it was something I had never seen before."

There are numerous benefits for the students participating in the workshops and attending the performance, ranging from vocabulary expansion, non-verbal expression, self-expression and confidence, empathy and understanding, and improved focus.

Moreover, students participating in the arts develop their cognitive and academic skills, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and more positive perceptions of their abilities and potential. This long-term impact is a testament to the program's value.

Published in 1972, Scott Joplin's Treemonisha is often referred to as the "forgotten opera," but is now reemerging as a popular work in American opera repertory.

For a complete list of upcoming performances as part of our SEF Presents! series, visit our website.