Shreveport Opera

Founded July 5, 1949, Shreveport Opera is one of the oldest and longest continually serving opera companies in the country and Shreveport's longest continually-serving arts organization. Annually, Shreveport Opera produces mainstage operas and musical productions; a national singing competition (The Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year Competition); numerous special events; and 130+ performances by Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX). SOX is the educational touring component of Shreveport Opera, and the only one of its kind in the state that takes interactive, live musical programming with current and relevant social messages to thousands of students who may otherwise never have the opportunity to experience both the opera and the messages.

Shreveport Opera has three full-time staff, two part-time staff and a 30-member board of directors.

Since its inception in 2000-01, Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) remains the only program of its kind in the state and serves 30,000 students through 130+ performances annually in Louisiana, east Texas and south Arkansas. Utilizing the power of the arts, opera and professional singers, the SOX artists take live, interactive, musical programming into schools with students (predominantly Title I) that do not typically have unique, educational opportunities outside of the traditional classroom setting. SOX has productions that can serve students grades preK-12. Through original song, dance and choreography, SOX performances provide an enriching cultural experience while teaching valuable lessons on current and relevant social themes such as bullying; acceptance and kindness; healthy eating and exercise; and honesty and good character. All performances correlate to curriculum standards and are provided at no cost contingent upon funding.

What does Shreveport Opera do?

FEED THE HUNGRY
We feed those hungry for art and culture by producing professional mainstage operas and musical theater pieces right here in northwest Louisiana.

EDUCATE
Through our education and outreach program Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX), we reach tens of thousands of students, youth and adults each year. SOX is the ONLY program of its kind in the state!

IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
We give the opportunity to experience magnificent opera, have an enjoyable night out, and feel a variety of emotions right alongside of our artists on stage.

BOOST THE ECONOMY
It is proven that having an opera company and other forms of culture in a city bring in new business as well as tourism dollars to an area, and every season, nearly 20% of our patrons are from communities outside of Shreveport-Bossier City.

Testimonials

A picture we received from a local elementary school student after a SOX performance of "Stop, Bully!" says it all:

"I love your play about bullying. I think that was a good idea because so many people get bulled including me. I was scared but I told my mom and dad and they went to my school and told my principal and now I do no get bulled no more and that play showed me that bullying is not a good thing so if I see anybody being bullied I will go tell a teacher."