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Presented by Permian Basin Opera in collaboration with Opera of the Plains, the Children’s Opera program brings high-quality, age-appropriate live opera directly to K–12 students through engaging, story-driven performances designed specifically for school audiences. Opera of the Plains serves as the producing organization, creating and touring the productions, while Permian Basin Opera presents the program to schools and communities across the region.

The Children’s Opera productions are uniquely designed to introduce students to the world of opera through stories they already know and love. Each production is based on a familiar children’s tale and incorporates music adapted from established operatic works, allowing students to experience authentic opera repertoire within the context of a recognizable narrative. This approach creates a bridge between the familiar and the new, helping young audiences connect with opera in an accessible, engaging, and memorable way. For many students, it is their first opportunity to hear live opera, transforming an unfamiliar art form into an exciting and relatable experience.

Each production is paired with TEKS-aligned educational materials available in both English and Spanish, helping teachers connect the performance experience to classroom learning through literacy, music, fine arts standards, vocabulary development, and critical-thinking activities. Designed with schools in mind, the program features concise 40–50 minute performances that fit easily into the school day, followed by interactive talkbacks with the cast and creative team that encourage student engagement, curiosity, and deeper understanding of the performing arts.

Through creative adaptations of beloved children’s stories, the use of music drawn from the operatic canon, accessible storytelling, and ready-to-use curriculum resources, the partnership between Permian Basin Opera and Opera of the Plains introduces students and families to live opera in a way that is vibrant, relatable, educational, and welcoming. By connecting familiar stories with the beauty and excitement of opera, the program fosters arts appreciation, cultural literacy, and meaningful first encounters with live musical performance, often at no cost to participating schools.