Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are excited to offer our Spring 2023 company a series of artist development events. English Touring Opera is dedicated to helping our artists build successful and happy careers and supporting them in the development of their artistic practices.

At different stops on tour, the Spring 2023 company will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, coaching sessions, and more:

YORK - Movement Workshop with Jenny Ogilvie

Jenny is a director and movement specialist in theatre and opera and will direct our forthcoming production of Cinderella in Autumn 2023. Her extensive work as a movement director for opera includes The Cunning Little Vixen (ENO), Il piccolo principe (La Scala) and Greek (Hanover).

DURHAM - Commedia dell’arte Status Workshop with Rachel Wise

Rachel is a movement director, stage director and pedagogue who first worked with ETO on Tutankhamun’s Shoes in Autumn 2022. This workshop introduces the main Commedia dell’arte characters (masters, lovers, servants) and plays with the hierarchy and relationships between them.

SNAPE - Acting Workshop with Martin Constantine

Martin is the Artistic Director of Streetwise Opera and the author of The Opera Singer’s Acting Toolkit – an essential guide to creating a role. His productions include the RPS Award-winning Paul Bunyan for WNO, and he was Director of ENO Opera Works, an innovative training programme he created for young opera singers which trained 200 young singers, directors, designers and producers over a ten year period at English National Opera.

CANTERBURY - Headshots with Matt Jones

As well as experiences and skills we are keen to offer artists assets to keep their marketing materials up to date. We have invited Matt Jones to join us for a day to capture updated headshots for members of the spring company.

BUXTON - Vocal Health First Aid Session with Thomas Elwin

Tom Elwin (currently playing Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia) is a qualified Vocal Health First Aider and is offering a seminar with tips about looking after your voice on the road.

LONDON - Makaton Taster Session with Bradley Travis

Makaton is a communication tool which combines signs and symbols frequently used in SEND and Early Years settings. You may have seen this in ETO’s SEND shows, CBeebies and even Strictly. We are keen to spread this skill beyond our L&P artists and Bradley Travis (Head of Learning & Participation at ETO) is offering an introductory session to find out more.

ONLINE - Yin Yoga Online Sessions with Fiona Finsbury

These virtual sessions will be held online on multiple dates during tour and are an opportunity for the company to come together to nourish minds & spirits.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG TOUR - Ongoing coachings with ETO coaches

We are delighted to be able to offer all our cover artists two coachings during the season; the first of these will focus on their cover role with coaches Paul McKenzie, Nick Bosworth, and Robin Wallington. The second coaching is on material of the artist’s choice, to help them prepare for current and future projects, brush up for an audition or just try something out.

Thank you to our many donors for their generosity in supporting the Artist Development Programme! If you are interested in supporting this and future artist development initiatives, learn more about how to become a supporter here.