Opera on the Go!<br>Returns with <i>Treemonisha</i>

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Opera on the Go! Returns October 21, with Performances of Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha

Tour will visit 17 schools and 2 public libraries, reaching 2,300 students in-person and up to 75,000 students digitally

ST. LOUIS, October 16, 2025 – Opera on the Go!, one of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ many educational programs, begins a 17-school tour next week. Between October 21 and November 1, this initiative will create interactive opera experiences for students grades 3-10 right in their own classrooms. Opera on the Go! has been touring St. Louis schools for the past 14 years, offering students the chance to participate in workshops on music, makeup, and stagecraft, as well as to watch a live performance of an abridged opera.

The cast of 2024’s Opera on the Go! program takes a bow. Photo © Macy White

Each year, Opera on the Go! features a different classic opera. The 2025 tour will present Treemonisha, an opera by American ragtime composer Scott Joplin, who lived in St. Louis from 1900-1907. The story follows the journey of a young Black woman named Treemonisha, who protects her community against the manipulations of conjurers who prey on ignorance and superstition.

Opera on the Go’s production of Treemonisha will be led by music director Jonathan Heaney and stage director Kimille Howard. The cast includes soprano Chase Sanders (Treemonisha), soprano Jouelle Roberson (Monisha), tenor Leo Williams (Remus), baritone Randell McGee (Ned), and baritone Nicholas LaGesse (Zodzetrick).

In a special local collaboration, OTSL’s abridged version of Treemonisha will be choreographed by dancer Robert Poe, who serves as the Artistic Director and co-founder of Ballet 314. “Opera Theatre is one of my favorite arts organizations in St. Louis,” said Poe. “From one arts leader to another, I recognize their exceptional mainstage performances and stimulating educational content. It’s an honor to work with them again on Treemonisha!”

Teaching artists applaud a young student during 2024’s Opera on the Go! Photo © Macy White

Opera on the Go! will tour 17 public, private, and parochial schools across multiple districts, including Ferguson-Florissant, Ritenour, St. Louis Public Schools, and the Special School District of St. Louis County. The two-hour program will feature three hands-on workshops about singing, stage movement, and makeup. Afterwards, children will have an opportunity to watch a 30-minute abridged version of Treemonisha.

This year’s program concludes with two free performances at St. Louis Public Libraries: the Central branch on Friday, October 31 and the Schlafly branch on Saturday, November 1. Families interested in attending these public performances can learn more on the St. Louis Public Library website at slpl.org/liveatslpl.

Since its inaugural performance in 2005, Opera on the Go! has made 255 appearances at St. Louis schools and reached more than 40,000 students in the St. Louis metropolitan region. The 2025 tour is made possible in part by the Bayer Fund and The Saigh Foundation.

Thanks to the support of many generous supporters, including The Saigh Foundation and the Missouri Humanities Council, this year’s Opera on the Go! program will also be filmed for digital release in January 2026, an innovation that Opera Theatre first launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since OTSL’s first-ever digital Opera on the Go!, an average of 75,000 students per year have watched this program virtually in classrooms around the world.

About Bayer Fund

Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, and health and wellness projects. For more information, visit fund.bayer.us.

About The Saigh Foundation

The Saigh Foundation continues the legacy of Fred Saigh, a St. Louis lawyer, businessman, real estate investor, and owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Celebrating 25 years in 2025, the foundation works to enhance the quality of life for children and youth in the St. Louis metropolitan area by supporting educational and health-related charitable institutions and organizations.

About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is a spring festival featuring casts of rising opera singers accompanied by the acclaimed St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Each season, OTSL presents four compelling new productions in English during the months of May and June. In addition to staging innovative interpretations of classics, OTSL is also committed to premiering new and reviving relevant operas by prominent composers; as of the company’s 2025 season, Opera Theatre has presented 45 world premieres and 27 American premieres. The company’s competitive young artist programs foster the next generation of emerging singers; these programs have been a springboard for countless artists to launch international careers. Beyond its Festival Season, Opera Theatre provides year-round programming and educational initiatives that reach over 80,000 people in St. Louis and beyond annually. OTSL is led by General Director Andrew Jorgensen, in collaboration with Artistic Director Designate Patricia Racette and Principal Conductor Daniela Candillari.

Made possible in part by the Bayer Fund and the Saigh Foundation.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council and the City of St. Louis Mental Health Board. Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges Webster University for its sustaining partnership.