Don’t let the photo distract you.
If you are a physically fit gentleman between the ages of 18 and 50 and have no qualms about being seen in public sans shirt then, “Come to Mama.” No, sorry, I meant “sign up now” to become a non-singing extra or supernumerary for the Dallas Opera’s upcoming production of “Aida.”
Please read and consider because we need you and want you Verdi, Verdi much…
(Photo courtesy of lebspy.com)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Megan Meister 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org megan.meister@dallasopera.org
THE DALLAS OPERA INVITES YOU TO BECOME
A SUPER HERO OF THE OPERA!
~~~~
Warm Bodies (with Biceps, Pecs, and Nimble Brains) Needed Urgently For the Dallas Opera’s Season Opening Production of AÏDA – Physically Fit Men, Age 18-50
~~~~
Paid Positions Available
Must be Willing to Appear Shirtless
No Singing Required
DALLAS, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 – The Dallas Opera needs quite a few good men, aged 18 to 50; especially those physically fit and willing to appear onstage without a shirt.
Casting is already underway for the supernumerary roles in Verdi’s opera, AÏDA, slated to open the season in late October. Staging rehearsals are tentatively scheduled to begin on October 1st and those selected must be available for all six performances (Oct. 26, 28, 31, Nov. 3, 9, and 11, 2012). Those interested should visit www.dallasopera.org/supers, while those in need of additional information should contact the Dallas Opera’s helpful stage management staff at supers@dallasopera.org.
A supernumerary is a non-speaking, non-singing, modestly paid extra—particularly vital in all those spectacular opera crowd scenes. Supernumeraries, or “Supers” as they are commonly known, are full participants in the action onstage and lend energy and power to the productions in which they appear. They act alongside some of the finest singers in the world today and interact with some of our most famous stars, helping them to give their very best performances.
Supernumeraries are usually non-professionals with an interest in acting, whether comedy or drama, and a love of music and theater. Becoming a super not only allows you to don wigs and costumes in a grown-up version of “playing dress-up,” it puts you onstage in the heart of the action where you bring your character to life for an audience of your family, friends, co-workers and peers.
Becoming a Super broadens your horizons by showing you the inner workings of creating onstage performances, as well as the backstage laughs. But it’s not all fun and games. An opera company supernumerary must be alert to the directions of stage managers and choreographers, attentive to detail, patient while waiting in the wings, and punctual for each and every rehearsal or performance call.
In short, it requires a special someone who can rise to the occasion and become a real SUPER HERO OF THE OPERA.
HERE’S THE DEAL – WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN!
Right now, the Dallas Opera is urgently seeking physically fit men, aged 18 to 50 to portray guards, torchbearers, fanbearers, and other characters from Ancient Egypt (Think The Scorpion King). You will not be asked to sing. You will, however, be asked to remove your shirt and appear onstage topless and possibly shoeless. After entering your information on the dallasopera.org/supers application form, you will be notified once casting choices have been made.
Face it, sitting on the couch watching re-runs night after night will not impress your future grandkids or make you a 21st century stage legend. This, on the other hand, might. Like the now-famous Simon Deonarian, who tumbled off the set during the Metropolitan Opera’s 2002 premiere of Prokofiev’s War and Peace and into a permanent spot in opera history (please don’t try this at home).
~~~~
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “SEPTEMBER AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS
For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print
To arrange an interview
Or for additional information
Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
The Dallas Opera’s 2012-2013 “Pursuits of Passion Season”
Is Presented by Texas Instruments Foundation
THE DALLAS OPERA WISHES TO EXPRESS ITS GRATITUDE TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS:
AMERICAN AIRLINES – OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
LEXUS – OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
Ticket Information for the 2012-2013 Dallas Opera Season
All performances are in the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Subscriptions start at just $75 and are on sale now. Single Tickets for AÏDA and family performances are on sale now. For more information, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2012-2013 SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Sixth International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in downtown Dallas. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance. Assistance is available for the hearing impaired.
AÏDA by Giuseppe Verdi
October 26 –The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance
Starring Latonia Moore, The Charron and Peter Denker Rising Star! (2012)
October 28(m), 31, November 3, 9, 11(m), 2012
Verdi’s Complex and Intimate Love Story Set in Spectacular Ancient Egypt!
An opera in four acts first performed at Khedivial Opera House, Cairo on December 24, 1871.
Text by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette.
Time: Old Kingdom
Place: Egypt
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Stage Director: Garnett Bruce
Costume Design: Peter J. Hall
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Latonia Moore (Aida), Antonello Palombi (Radames), Nadia Krasteva* (Amneris), Lester Lynch (Amonasro), Orlin Anastassov* (Ramfis), Ben Wager (The King of Egypt), Jonathan Yarrington* (Messenger), and NaGuanda Nobles* (Priestess).
TURANDOT by Giacomo Puccini
April 5, 7(m), 10, 13, 19 & 21(m), 2013
Puccini’s Last Masterpiece—Riddled with Passionate Romance and Unforgettable Music!
An opera in three acts first performed in Milan at La Scala, April 25, 1926
Text by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, based on Carlo Gozzi’s fable, Turandot.
Time: Legendary times
Place: Peking, China
Conductor: Marco Zambelli
Stage Director: Garnett Bruce
Production Design: Allen Charles Klein
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Lise Lindstrom* (Princess Turandot), Antonello Palombi (Calaf), Hei-Kyung Hong (Liu), Christian Van Horn* (Timur), Jonathan Beyer (Ping), Joseph Hu (Pang), Daniel Montenegrio* (Pong), Ryan Kuster* (A Mandarin), Steven Haal (Emperor Altoum).
THE ASPERN PAPERS by Dominick Argento
April 12, 14(m), 17, 20, 28(m), 2013
The Games People Play—Both Young and Old—To Achieve Their Twisted Desires!
An opera in two acts first performed in Dallas, November 19, 1988.
Text by Dominick Argento, based on a Henry James novella.
Time: Legendary
Place: Lake Como, Italy
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Stage Director: Tim Albery
Scenic Design: Andrew Lieberman*
Costume Design: Constance Hoffman*
Lighting Design: Thomas Hase
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Assistant Director: Michael Mori
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Susan Graham* (Tina), Alexandra Deshorties (Julianna Bordereau), Nathan Gunn (The Lodger), Joseph Kaiser* (Aspern), Dean Peterson (Barelli), Sasha Cooke* (Sonia), Eric Jordan* (A painter), Jennifer Youngs* (Olimpia).
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
______________________________________________________________________________________
The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; TACA; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to Mrs. William W. Winspear and the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for their continuing support.
###