Today’s blog post about Theoroi is written by The Schubert Club’s Marketing Intern, Quinn Shadko.
Theoroi is a Schubert Club program attempting to cultivate the next generation of Twin Cities arts audiences. The 30 members of this group (all in their 20s and 30s) attend a “sampler package” of performing arts events across the Twin Cities to get a wide variety of cultural experiences. The group then uses social media to share their experiences with their own social network.
In May, Theoroi attended its second-to-last event of the season, Minnesota Opera’s world premiere of The Shining at the Ordway. This was probably my favorite arts experience in season full of incredible performances. The Shining wasn’t opera as one might think of it – stuffy, in another language, with confusing plot lines. Instead, it was an entirely accessible performance, featuring a familiar storyline, a libretto in English, and design elements that made it entirely more exciting than watching the movie at home. The lavish costumes, moving set pieces, and extensive projections helped to tell the story alongside nuanced performances that combined singing, acting, and stage combat. I felt like I was doing more than just seeing an opera – I was a part of a once-in-a lifetime event. I look forward to seeing more world premieres and new works at Minnesota Opera in the future!
Theoroi’s final event of the season was Liquid Music’s Orpheus Unsung featuring Steven Mackey at the Guthrie. The group met early for a tour of the Guthrie and then went for a quick bite to eat and drink at Day Block Brewery a couple blocks away. The performance itself was in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie on one of the highest floors with absolutely breathtaking views of the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis.
I reached out to member Alyssa Scott to get her opinion of the evening’s performance: “I would have never thought to attend this performance had I not been a member of Theoroi, but I’m glad I was exposed to it. Knowing that it was based on an opera, but that there wouldn’t be any singing at all, left me not quite sure what to expect. The music was phenomenal and the show overall was like nothing I’d ever seen before – including a lot of elements like modern dance, technology, and curtains and projected images/video to create various effects that all made you feel like you were truly in the underworld.”
The Theoroi season spans September through June, so the 2015-2016 season is just concluding, and we are in search of new members for the 2016-2017 season! If you’re social media savvy and between the ages of 21-39, consider joining the 2016-2017 group. We’re limited to only 30 individuals, so get your application in soon, as the program always fills up early! schubert.org/theoroi