Mission
Lawrence Opera Theatre (LOT) embraces the belief that “If music be the food of love, play on” (Shakespeare). Our mission is to bridge the gap of opera during the summer months in Lawrence, Topeka, and the Kansas City metro area. We celebrate the profound impact of music, words, and artistry in opera, art song, and musical theatre. Committed to enhancing the cultural landscape, we offer a diverse array of music and drama, making opera accessible to all and ensuring that this transformative art form resonates with a wide range of audiences. We proudly serve as a platform for singing professionals, emerging vocal artists, and community singers to shine and gain invaluable experience.
Our History
Founded as Lawrence Opera Works in 2009 by Holly White and Hugo Vera, the company emerged from a shared vision to enrich the performing arts scene in Lawrence, Kansas. As graduates of the University of Kansas, Holly and Hugo recognized a gap during the slow summer months and sought to harness the transformative power of text, music, and art in opera and musical theater. Their inaugural program featured twelve talented singers performing opera scenes, which was presented in partnership with the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation. This program was recorded and sent to Eutin, Germany, one of Lawrence's sister cities. This initiative caught the attention of the Eutin Opera Festival, leading to a lasting partnership that continues to thrive today.
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In 2013, we proudly rebranded as Lawrence Opera Theatre. The following year, 2014, marked a significant milestone as we launched our first season with Theatre Lawrence at their Bauer Farm location, coinciding with our 5th anniversary season and the debut of our first full-length opera, Don Giovanni. Since our inception, LOT has seen remarkable growth, expanding from a modest group of twelve singers to a vibrant ensemble of up to 70 participants from around the globe. Our diverse cast includes emerging professionals, university students, high school students, and community members, all of whom audition for a chance to collaborate with seasoned professionals in the field.
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As our partnership with Theatre Lawrence developed, so did our programming. LOT has proudly presented two world premieres: Snow Angel by Bonnie McLarty (2019) and Cece, by Raffaele Cipriano (2023). LOT is also host to regional premieres like Timothy Peterson's The Seance (2021), Seymour Barab's Game of Chance (2022), and Adam Gorb and Ben Kaye's The Path to Heaven (2024). Each mainstage opera is creatively reimagined for a modern audience, with productions such as The Magic Flute set against the backdrop of the Burning Man festival and La Cenerentola styled as an 80s high school prom. In 2024, we celebrated our first annual Glitter and Be Gala fundraiser with Z&M Twisted Vines Vineyard and were invited to perform selections from Carmen at the Eutin Opera Festival, further strengthening our community ties.
LOT's annual programming during the regular season has expanded to offer a diverse array of performances that cater to a wide range of audiences. Each season now includes at least one mainstage opera, a musical theatre cabaret, an opera scenes and arias concert, a chamber piece, a one-act opera, and an outside concert. This commitment to variety not only enriches the cultural landscape but also showcases the company's dedication to presenting innovative and engaging works. With each performance, LOT continues to create memorable experiences that resonate with both new and seasoned audiences.