Gerdine Young Artist Program Singer Auditions
How to Apply
Audition Information  Opportunity Information
Deadline
Received By Mon Aug 05, 2024
Materials Required
All materials must be submitted via the online YAP Tracker application:
• Complete application form
• One page résumé (pdf)
• One high-resolution headshot (png or jpg)
• One video file of a recording made within 12 months of application deadline. (Please record what you sing best!)
• Two professional references with contact information (No written recommendations will be accepted.)
Video Recordings:
Pre-screening video files may be recorded with a live or backing track accompaniment of piano or orchestra. Please do not submit a capella recordings. Selection should be recorded from memory. While we encourage applicants to submit a video of operatic repertoire, we will also accept a video recording of a recent performance, recital, or concert as long as the artist can be seen clearly. Video should show as much of the artist (full body) as possible so we can clearly see your acting choices.
For tips on creating videos, Opera America has put together Remote Audition Guidelines to help you with the process. Click HERE for more information.
DEADLINE TO APPLY for the 2025 Festival Season Gerdine Young Artist Program: Monday, August 5, 2024
Audition Information
Audition Locations and Dates
Miami, FL USA: Fri 13th Sep 2024
Dallas, TX USA: Sat 14th Sep 2024
Chicago, IL USA: Sun 15th Sep 2024 – Mon 16th Sep 2024
St. Louis, MO USA: Tue 17th Sep 2024
Washington, DC USA: Thu 19th Sep 2024
Los Angeles, CA USA: Sat 21st Sep 2024
New York, NY USA: Mon 23rd Sep 2024 – Thu 26th Sep 2024
Audition Requirements
If granted an in-person audition, please prepare four (4) selections showing a variety of styles in at least three (3) different languages, one (1) of which must be in English (translations are acceptable). Three (3) selections should be opera arias and the fourth can be another aria or musical theater. You may amend your choices prior to your audition through the YAP Tracker application system by September 1. If you choose to change your audition repertoire list after this deadline, please plan to bring a printed copy of your amended list with you at the time of your audition.
Pianist Provided
Yes. May bring own
Pianist Fee
If granted an in-person audition, a pianist will be provided by OTSL at no additional expense to you. You may elect to bring your own pianist, however, it will be at your personal expense.
Opportunity Information
Location
St. Louis, MO USA
Season Information
2024-2025
The 2025 Festival Season includes productions of Die Fledermaus (Strauss II), This House (World Premiere by Ricky Ian Gordon), Don Pasquale (Donizetti), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten), and Center Stage Concert. All mainstage festival season opera productions are performed in English.
All leading, featured, and supporting roles for mainstage productions are covered by young artists. In addition, OTSL intends to cast the following featured, supporting, and chorus bit roles from its young artist programs:
- Soprano: Ida (Fledermaus), Cobweb, Mustardseed (Midsummer)
- Mezzo-Soprano/Countertenor: Hippolyta, Peaseblossom, Moth (Midsummer)
- Tenor: Dr. Blind (Fledermaus), Glenn (This House), Snout (Midsummer)
- Baritone / Bass: Frank (Fledermaus), A Notary (Don Pasquale), Starveling, Theseus, Quince, Snug (Midsummer)
Program Dates
April 28, 2025 – June 29, 2025
Program Information
Named after Opera Theatre’s founding board chairman, Leigh Gerdine, and his wife Alice, the Gerdine Young Artist Program, led by soprano Patricia Racette, Artistic Director of Young Artist Programs, seeks to offer emerging young artists invaluable performance experience as they begin their professional careers. In addition to singing in the mainstage production choruses, Gerdine Young Artists (GYAs) are featured in supporting roles, cover all roles in mainstage productions, and are featured soloists in the annual Center Stage concert accompanied by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, an event that draws opera administrators, artist managers, and national and international press to St. Louis each season to discover the finest of emerging young artists. Young artists also work closely with Artistic Director of Young Artist Programs Patricia Racette who leads weekly group classes and one-on-one coachings with young artists throughout the season.
Opera Theatre is committed to supporting and nurturing the careers of its young artists beyond their young artist seasons by consistently bringing back its GYA alumni in featured and leading roles in future seasons. OTSL counts among its esteemed GYA alumni such singers as Paul Appleby, Jamie Barton, Christine Brewer, Lawrence Brownlee, Christine Goerke, Kate Lindsey, Lester Lynch, Erin Morley, So Young Park, Matthew Polenzani, Morris Robinson, Russell Thomas, and many more. In 2016, the Richard Gaddes Festival Artist Program was created in honor of OTSL’s first general director, and offers GYA alumni the opportunity to return in featured and leading roles on the mainstage. GYA alumni who have returned in mainstage roles include Aubrey Allicock, Justin Austin, Joshua Blue, Sydney Mancasola, Elena Villalón, and Mack Wolz, among others.
In addition to mainstage productions, GYAs participate in one-on-one coachings, community engagement performances, industry auditions with artist managers and artistic administrators, and master classes given by distinguished artists in the field. Past master classes have been led by renowned artists such as Stephanie Blythe, Grace Bumbry, William Burden, Michael Christie, Elizabeth Futral, Colin Graham, Denyce Graves, Jerry Hadley, Gordon Hawkins, Evelyn Lear, Susanne Mentzer, Sherrill Milnes, James Morris, Patricia Racette, Shirley Verrett, Brian Zeger, and many more. Additionally, the young artist cover program provides young artists with the significant opportunity to participate in cover sing-throughs and studio runs, and has resulted in exciting jump-ins and mainstage debut performances!
Compensation
Payment is provided
- $706.65-$794.95 a week
• $225.00 one-time Center Stage Concert fee
• $361.45 one-time sustenance stipend
• Round-trip travel
• Housing provided
• AGMA contract
Contact Information
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
210 Hazel Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
audition@opera-stl.org
DEADLINE TO APPLY for the 2025 Festival Season Gerdine Young Artist Program: Monday, August 5, 2024
About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization known for innovative productions featuring outstanding young artists. The company offers a festival opera season each spring which attracts ticket buyers from zip codes throughout the metropolitan area, as well as visitors from nearly 50 states and multiple countries. As of 2023, OTSL has presented 37 world premieres, which may be the highest percentage of new work in the repertory of any American company. In addition to the spring Festival Season, OTSL operates year-round education and community programs serving nearly 17,000 local children and adults.
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has a year-round artistic and administrative staff of approximately 45, which grows to more than 500 during the Festival Season. Several hundred volunteer members of the Opera Theatre Guild provide support for all aspects of Opera Theatre’s work and advocate for the company throughout the greater St. Louis community. The company’s annual budget size is approximately $12.5 million; contributed revenue represents more than 50% of budget.
At Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, we value equity, diversity, and mutual respect. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically excluded to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our community. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
OTSL will not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion or belief; national, social, or ethnic origin; age; sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression; physical, mental, or sensory disability; family or parental status; genetic information or characteristics; protected veteran status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. OTSL will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
If you need assistance or accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact (314) 963-4226 or mmyers@opera-stl.org.