Ellen Eccles Theatre
LOGAN – The Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre (UFOMT) is offering free tickets to their 2023 summer season offerings to all kindergarten through 12th grade students and their teachers.
Its all part of an unprecedented outreach effort to inspire youth and educators through the performing arts, according to Michael Ballam, the founder and general director of the theater program.
“We are so excited to extend an invitation to experience up close and personal – and free of charge – to the magic and wonder of live, world-class opera and musical theatre to these bright, inquisitive young people in grades K to 12 throughout the state,” Ballam explained.
After searching for a way to provide this opportunity for 30 years, Ballam said that “finally the stars have aligned to make this dream come true for the 2023 season.”
The opportunity is being made possible by a generous collaboration between the Utah State Board of Education/Professional Outreach Program in Schools, the UFOMT and private donors.
Only student and teachers from Utah schools are eligible for the free tickets, Ballam added, because funding comes in part from the state.
The UFOMT’s 2023 summer season will run from July 5 to Aug. 5.
More than 250 musicians, performers and crew members hailing from renowned stages throughout the nation will arrive in Logan this summer to present stage production in repertory as well as concerts, workshops, cabaret shows and more.
All performances will be presented in the Ellen Eccles and Utah Theatres in downtown Logan.
This year’s mainstage offerings include the Broadway hits Oliver and Sir Elton John’s recent retelling of the classic story of Aida.
In an interesting twist, the UFOMT will also present Verdi’s operatic version of Aida, along with Wagner’s Lohengrin.
Additional shows will be A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and the classic Our Town.
Utah students and teachers will also be eligible for free ticket to the UFOMT’s offerings in its Concert series this summer.
Those include The Pianists!; Sentimental Journey; the Michael Ballam Vocal Competition; and Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, performed by the American Festival Chorus under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessop.
“We hope this will be a transformative artistic experience for the young people and educators in our state,” said Vanessa Ballam, the UFOMT’s education director.
To reserve tickets, student or their parents can go online to www.utahfestival.org and click on Box Office.
After filling out the ticket request form, a box office staffer will contact the applicant to finalize the reservation.
The fee ticket offer is not retroactive on previously purchased tickets.
Performance tickets for the general public are also available at www.utahfestival.org or by calling 435-750-0300.
Tickets can also be purchased in-person at Utah Festival Box in the Dansante Building at 59 South, 100 West.
The Professional Outreach Program in the Schools (POPS), managed by the Utah State Board of Education and sponsored by the Utah State Legislature, supports arts education in Utah’s public schools by bringing professional arts organizations’ educational programs to schools for free or subsidized costs.
The POPS’ goal is to connect schools, teachers, administrators and students with high quality arts learning experiences with professional artists.