Lyric Theater

NAU’s School of Music broadens students’ horizons

Northern Arizona University’s Lyric Theater provides many enriching experiences in both opera and musical theater, for both undergraduate and graduate performers.

About the program

Our goal is to provide singers with the skills necessary to perform on the operatic stage with confidence and to prepare them for further study in the field of opera. Under the direction of Eric Gibson, and with the hands-on participation of artist voice teachers, students are involved in a wide variety of productions. Fully-staged opera productions with orchestra and opera scenes programs are performed in the original language. Foreign language coaching is provided by faculty in the College of Arts and Letters.

All roles for full productions are double cast when possible, and opportunities exist for students to learn about important aspects of production, such as supertitles, props, and assistant directing. Supportive classes include include Movement and Acting for Singers, Opera History, and an elective independent study in opera directing. Voice teachers assist with opera coaching in private lessons.

Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, with a seating capacity of 1400 and with an orchestra pit capable of holding a full size Wagner orchestra, is the primary venue for opera productions. For smaller productions and scenes programs, the more intimate Prochnow Auditorium and Ashurst Hall are used.