Company History
Milwaukee Opera Theatre (MOT) creates dynamic, singer-centered art; explores the beauty of the human voice; sparks the imagination of both audiences and artists; and transforms the bountiful landscape of classic and contemporary lyric theatre.
We are committed to meeting the professional development expectations set forth by the artists with whom we work, creating our season each year to reflect our artists' goals and assisting them through various programs and services as they grow in their craft.
MOT was founded in 1998 by Charissa York Glazner, an enterprising young soprano who recognized the need for a community-based, professional opera company in the Milwaukee area. York marshaled the talents of singers, directors, and instrumentalists who were committed to producing operas readily accessible to the community in which they lived and worked. Their first production was Mozart's Così fan tutte in June of 1999. It was the only production that season, but its box office success, coupled with extraordinary community support, allowed MOT to produce three operas the following season. Over the next decade, MOT shared upwards of 20 operas with area audiences. Today, we produce at least four projects each season, ranging from the classic to the contemporary, with a special affinity for locally sourced work. We also offer complimentary,
bi-monthly Voice Lab workshops to area singers, both emerging artists and established professionals, and, in partnership with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's ACE Program, provide annual support to the "Script & Score" program, in which sixth graders at a Milwaukee-area elementary school write and produce their own original opera, usually a work of historical fiction in conjunction with their social studies curriculum.
We are committed to meeting the professional development expectations set forth by the artists with whom we work, creating our season each year to reflect our artists' goals and assisting them through various programs and services as they grow in their craft.
MOT was founded in 1998 by Charissa York Glazner, an enterprising young soprano who recognized the need for a community-based, professional opera company in the Milwaukee area. York marshaled the talents of singers, directors, and instrumentalists who were committed to producing operas readily accessible to the community in which they lived and worked. Their first production was Mozart's Così fan tutte in June of 1999. It was the only production that season, but its box office success, coupled with extraordinary community support, allowed MOT to produce three operas the following season. Over the next decade, MOT shared upwards of 20 operas with area audiences. Today, we produce at least four projects each season, ranging from the classic to the contemporary, with a special affinity for locally sourced work. We also offer complimentary,
bi-monthly Voice Lab workshops to area singers, both emerging artists and established professionals, and, in partnership with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's ACE Program, provide annual support to the "Script & Score" program, in which sixth graders at a Milwaukee-area elementary school write and produce their own original opera, usually a work of historical fiction in conjunction with their social studies curriculum.
MOT places special emphasis on the use of area talent, which stems from a bedrock belief that by supporting the artists in our community, we improve the quality of life for all. Throughout our history, we have demonstrated this commitment by employing primarily artists who live and work in Southeastern Wisconsin, providing them with valuable opportunities to grow in their craft and enrich the communities in which they live. All of our projects employ local talent, and specific projects, such as our superhero opera Fortuna the Time Bender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom! are entirely Milwaukee made, from the composer to the artistic staff to our onstage talent.
Our Mission
We are Milwaukee’s micro-brewery for opera, proudly producing small batches of high quality, local lyric theatre.
We tell stories through music...unconventionally.
We tell stories through music...unconventionally.
