School of Music & Theater

A man with a beard and cape sings with big gestures, and forest fairy-like women look on adoringly.

Opera Audition & Participation

How to Audition & Participate in PSU Operas

Auditions are open to music majors and non-music majors.

The School of Music & Theater offers a variety of opportunities to participate in PSU Opera productions, from set design and sound and lighting to singing and acting. 

Students have the opportunity to audition for each of the two fully staged Opera productions. 

  • Chamber Opera (Fall Term): Focuses on contemporary works from living composers and features modern narratives.
  • Opera Scenes (Fall Term): A workshop setting for students to explore diverse repertoire and hone character development.
  • Spring Opera (Spring Term): Our celebrated, fully staged spring opera production, which often plays to packed houses and draws critical acclaim.

The Fall opera features newer compositions of living composers in English.  When possible, we have the composer and sometimes the librettist in residence to work with our singers and give a pre-concert talk about their work.  

Audition Details

Auditions are held at the end of Spring term of each year. The audition form link will be posted here in the spring and an email will be sent to vocal students

Audition Materials

Prepare an aria in English and a contrasting aria in any language. The audition selection should reflect the role and type of singing for the character you are auditioning for (e.g., coloratura soprano).

Notification Process

Students are informed of casting decisions via email within two weeks.

Participation Requirements

Students must come to Fall term rehearsals with music already learned. Musical rehearsal will take place every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Staging rehearsals begin at the end of October and rehearsals will be daily (usually Monday - Friday 4pm to 10pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm; some Sunday rehearsals may occur during tech week).

Fall 2026 Performance Dates

  • 11/28 evening
  • 11/29 matinee
  • 12/4 evening
  • 12/5 matinee
  • 12/6 matinee

All students must sign a contract of commitment to be in the opera.

Opera Workshop is for anyone looking to learn the fundamentals of stage craft and careful preparation of a role or additional training through scene work. 

Participation Details

Register for the Opera Workshop Course (MUS 427 CRN 12272, or MUS 527 CRN 12296). This course is offered Fall term and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30pm.

There may be one or two rehearsals outside of class when the LH75 schedule conflicts with our class. The performance takes place at the Music @ Midday concert in the last week of the term.

The Spring opera is our large production in the Lincoln Performance Hall. You will be working musically on roles or ensemble Winter Term. Staging with a well-known director in the field of opera will start in mid-March. We take the scheduled break between Winter and Spring terms and reconvene at the beginning of Spring term to finish staging and perform. Staging for the 2027 Spring opera begins March 12. 2027. 

Audition Details

In October (or earlier) of each year, audition information for the following year’s Spring opera will be posted here and an email will be sent to all vocal area students. A sign-up form link will be available here at that time.

Auditions for the Spring opera are held during the beginning of Fall term in LH175. Auditions for the Spring 2027 opera will happen on October 9 from 4pm to 7pm in LH 175. 

You do not need to be a music student to audition. 

Audition Materials

Prepare two arias, one in the language of the show chosen and one contrasting aria. If you do not have a French aria, email Kelley Nassief. At least one aria should show the style of the role you are auditioning for. Those seeking to be in an ensemble only need to bring in one aria or a song.

Notification Process

Students are informed of casting decisions via email within two weeks.

Participation Requirements

Musical rehearsals take place during Winter term on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30pm. The staging director arrives mid-March, and staging will be done Monday through Friday 4pm to 6pm and 7pm to 10pm, and Saturday 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 3pm. Some Sundays will be scheduled during tech rehearsal.

Spring 2027 Performance Dates:

4/16
4/18
4/24
4/25

All students must sign a contract of commitment to be in the opera.

Assist with set design, sound and lighting tech, costumes or prop construction, or be an Assistant Director.

If you are interested in working behind-the-scenes for an Opera production, email Kelley Nassief.

PSU Opera students performing Gianni Schicchi.

2026-2027 PSU OPERA SEASON

Each year, PSU Opera presents two fully staged opera productions and an opera workshop performance of operatic scenes and arias. Click below to learn about upcoming productions, get tickets, peek behind the scenes, view previous productions, donate or sign up to usher. We hope to see you at our next opera!

Learn More
Kelley Nassief

Kelley Nassief - Opera Program Director

Kelley Nassief has been critically acclaimed for performances on operatic, symphonic, and recital stages across the globe. As an alum of Portland State University, she is excited to bring her knowledge and experience back to the next generation of opera students.

Contact Kelley

PSU's Music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).