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Valley Light Opera

Interested in Directing/Music Directing for the Valley Light Opera?

CLICK HERE!

ABOUT

About VLO

The Valley Light Opera, Inc., based in Amherst, is a nonprofit Massachusetts corporation founded in 1975 by a group of Gilbert and Sullivan devotees. The VLO promotes broad participation and produces fine entertainment. We present a fully staged opera in the fall of each year, and less formal productions in the late winter or early spring. Over the years, the Valley Light Opera has produced all fourteen of the G&S operas as well as Cox and Box, The Zoo, The Rose of Persia, The Chieftain, The Emerald Isle, The Beauty Stone, and Sullivan's oratorio The Prodigal Son. In addition, VLO has performed Rudolf Friml's The Vagabond King, Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow, Jacques Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, John Philip Sousa's El Capitan, and Warren Martin's The True Story of Cinderella.Mission statement(adopted by the Board of Directors, Sept. 19, 2001)The mission of the Valley Light Opera is to produce excellent light opera, primarily but not restricted to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, to provide members of the community the opportunity to participate at all levels of these productions, and to afford both participants and audiences enjoyment and a deeper appreciation of light opera.The affairs of the VLO are in the hands of a Board of Directors elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting, normally in February or March. Membership is open to all who are interested, but it is not necessary to be a member to participate. You don't even have to be able to sing and dance. The VLO is a community group, made up entirely of volunteers, and there is a place for you on either side of the footlights. Are you interested in doing or learning make-up, costumes, scenery construction, painting, or lighting? Maybe you would rather work on the program, do publicity, usher, help with refreshments, or . . .If you are interested in participating or want more information, here are some contacts.
UPCOMING

JOIN US:

Messiah Sing

When: December 18, at 3 p.m.

Where: Wesley United Methodist Church on North Maple Street in Hadley

Soprano - Libby Maxey

Alto - Kathy Blaisdell

Tenor - Ted Blaisdell

Bass - Matt Roherig

Interested in singing with the Valley Light Opera?

Join us for the spring show this year! Rehearsals are on Monday evenings and begin on January 9, 2012.

For more information contact Bill Venman: wcvenman_gmail.com

GET INVOLVED

Community Theater Job Descriptions

As a community theater, Valley Light Opera relies entirely on volunteers to do the many jobs necessary to mount a full-scale musical production each year. The behind-the-scenes action is just as exciting and important as the music, and you get to work with a great group of people! For most jobs, experience is not required and you decide how much time you can give. Everyone gets credit in the program and an invitation to the company party after we strike the set.Here are some of the jobs that must be done each year. Back-stage crewsSet construction Build platforms and set components out of wood. Crew works on weekends in the fall, and VLO provides lunch. Set painting Trace scene designs onto set components, and paint them. Work weekends in the fall, VLO provides lunch. Costume construction Every sewing job imaginable: fabric cutting, simple and advanced sewing machine work, hand sewing jobs (buttons, etc.), glue gun, trim. Crew works on weekends (with VLO lunch) as well as Tuesday & Thursday evenings, or take a project home with you.Lighting Hang and focus lights in the final two weeks before opening night. This usually happens in the evening. Make-up Apply stage make-up to cast members. Crew begins working about two hours before each performance. Stage Manager Keep track of everything that happens on stage during all rehearsals and performances. Must be organized, punctual, conscientious, and simultaneously good-natured and demanding. Some theater experience (stage or technical) helpful but not essential.Stage crew Help backstage during performances: raise & lower curtain, move scenery, help with special effects.Props Create or find props to use on stage. Late September and October. Front-of-house crewsUsher coordinator Contact ushers, make up usher schedule, create simple badges and identifying "costumes", instruct and supervise ushers during all performances. This job starts in late September.Ushers Must be at least 12 years old. Wear black and white and are on duty before performances and during intermission. Get FREE seats in the back of the house. Junior ushers hand out programs and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.House manager Set up lobby before performances; tell stage manager when audience is seated so overture can begin; turn lobby lights off and on at beginning, intermission, and end of show; deal with seating problems, emergencies and anything else that requires a "troubleshooter".Souvenir sales Oversee Gift Shop during all performances to sell VLO T-shirts, mugs, umbrellas, calendars, and other memorabilia. Set up table and displays, collect money, keep tally of items sold.Hall set up crew Help producers and house manager set up make-up tables and lights, lobby and ticket tables, gift shop area, signs, lobby decorations, and anything else that needs doing to turn the high school into a theater. Work for 3-4 hours before performances, wear grubby clothes. Program preparation Word-processing, layout, proof-reading; also calling staff to remind them to hand in their information!Design and displays Help with graphic design and layout for T-shirts, posters, ads, and other promotional materials. Create attractive displays in glass cases at the high school and around town.Publicity Help write press releases; help plan and carry out marketing strategies. Really big jobsStage Director Create overall artistic concept of the show. Work with set and costume designers, choreographer, music director, and technical staff to carry out the concept. Rehearse principals and chorus in dialogue, acting, blocking, and dancing.Music Director Oversee all musical aspects of production in cooperation with stage director and choreographer. Rehearse chorus, ensembles, principals, and orchestra. Conduct all performances. Choreographer Working with stage director, develop movement and dances appropriate to the play; teach them to chorus and principals. Producers Assume major responsibility for an essential area of the production, e.g. costumes, front-of-house, or technical aspects. Attend production meetings occasionally in spring and summer and weekly throughout the fall. Take an active role in all decision-making. Occasionally open and close the building for rehearsals, or attend a board meeting. Oversee crew heads and write thank-you's.Coordinating Producer Assume ultimate responsibility for all aspects of production. Recruit directors, designers, staff, and crew heads. Schedule and oversee auditions, read-through, rehearsals, production meetings, performances. Maintain liaison with VLO board of directors, Amherst school personnel, Amherst Leisure Services, and community. Tackle problems, resolve conflicts, stay on top of everything. Some work year-round, with a heavy schedule in the fall.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photo Gallery

Click here to see our photo library.

CONTACT

Contact

President 2011-2012: Matthew Roehrig (413) 575-2922 Email: mgroehrig_comcast.netTreasurer: Jim Walker (413) 253-9662 Email: jfwjr22_comcast.netProducer 2011: Connie Cappelli (413) 548-9229 Email: jccappelli_rcn.comStage Director Fall 2011: Chris Rohmann (413) 532-5321 Email: crohmann_crocker.com Music Director Fall 2011: Phil Helzer (413) 548-8818 Email: Kpja1234_aol.com General consultant (founding father): Bill Venman (413) 549-1098 Email: wcvenman_gmail.comPostal address: Valley Light Opera, Inc. P.O. Box 2143 Amherst, MA 01004-2143

If you are interested in participating or want more information, here are some contacts.

Send Questions/Comments to: info_vlo.org

HISTORY

To view old programs, click here.

Production History

*2011 The Zoo by Arthur Sullivan and Bolton Rowe Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium March 31, April 1 * 2010 Iolanthe by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 Parody of Parodies - VLO Program for Hadassah, Northampton-Amherst Chapter Lander-Grinspoon Academy, Northampton Apr. 18 Messiah by G. F. Handel (community sing) First Congregational Church, Amherst Mar. 28 35th Anniversary Gala Celebration Campus Center Auditorium, University of Massachusetts Amherst Mar. 13 Amherst Club's Love Notes 2010, VLO Participation Buckley Recital Hall, Amherst College Feb. 14 * 2009 The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) (pix) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1, 6, 7, 8 The Valley Light Opera Celebrates Amherst's 250th (pgm) Jewish Community of Amherst June 21 The Beauty Stone by Arthur Wing Pinero, Joseph Comyns Carr and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Mar. 7 * 2008 Princess Ida by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 Parody of Parodies Agawam Public Library Oct. 10 The Emerald Isle by Basil Hood, Arthur Sullivan and Edward German Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Mar. 8 * 2007 The Mikado by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 Parody of Parodies Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Mar. 19 * 2006 The Gondoliers by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) (pix) (review) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 The Chieftain by F. C. Burnand and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Mar. 4 * 2005 The Merry Widow by Franz Leháar in a new English version by Michael Greenebaum Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 All at Sea (a Gilbert & Sullivan Dream) by David Stevens and Harvey Worthington Loomis Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium (excerpts): Feb. 24 Campus Center Auditorium, University of Massachusetts Amherst: Mar. 11 (30th Anniversary Celebration)(story) * 2004 Ruddigore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 The Rose of Persia by Basil Hood and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Feb. 26, 28 * 2003 H.M.S. Pinafore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 The Topsy-Turvy World of Gilbert and Sullivan (pgm) (Trial by Jury and selections from other G&S operas) Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Feb. 27, 28 * 2002 The Yeomen of the Guard by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) (pix) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 Trial by Jury by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan and selections from other G&S operas Mark's Meadow School Auditorium, Amherst Mar. 7 * 2001 The Grand Duke by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 * 2000 Iolanthe by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration Campus Center Auditorium, University of Massachusetts Amherst Mar. 18 * 1999 The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 Messiah by G. F. Handel (community sing) (pgm) First Congregational Church, Amherst Mar. 28 Spring Show '99 (pgm) Selections from Pirates; Anna Russell on coloraturas; P.D.Q. Bach's Serenude, madrigals, The Seasonings Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Feb. 27 * 1998 Patience by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) (pix) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 Messiah by G. F. Handel (community sing) First Congregational Church, Amherst Apr. 5 Spring Show '98 Fanfare for the Women; selections from Patience; Anna Russell on G&S; P.D.Q. Bach's Oedipus Tex Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Mar. 5, 6 * 1997 The Vagabond King by Rudolf Friml Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 The Foundling by Mary A. Finn and Robert Weingart Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 27 * 1996 The Mikado by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (pgm) (pix) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (read-through) Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 27 * 1995 Messiah by G. F. Handel (community sing) First Congregational Church, Amherst Dec. 17 Princess Ida by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 A 20th Year Celebration selections from the operas of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Mar. 14 * 1994 Messiah by G. F. Handel (community sing) First Congregational Church, Amherst Dec. 18 Orpheus in the Underworld by Jacques Offenbach in a new English translation by James Ellis Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 The Zoo by Arthur Sullivan and Bolton Rowe Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 23, Mar. 13 * 1993 Messiah by G. F. Handel (community sing) First Congregational Church, Amherst Dec. 19 H.M.S. Pinafore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (cast) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 A Wealth of Possibilities selections from G&S and other light operas Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 25 * 1992 The Gondoliers by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 Places, Please! by Benjamin Keaton Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 29 * 1991 Ruddigore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 Thespis by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan recreated by Jonathan Strong, orchestration by John Dreslin The Academy of Music, Northampton Mar. 8, 9, 10 * 1990 The Yeomen of the Guard by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (cast) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 Fifteenth Anniversary Concert selections from the operas of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Mar. 11 * 1989 The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (cast) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 El Capitan by John Philip Sousa and Charles Klein Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 24 * 1988 The Sorcerer by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 The Grand Duke by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 25, 27, 28 * 1987 The Mikado by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 The True Story of Cinderella by Warren Martin Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 17 * 1986 Iolanthe by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (cast) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 Lost Gilbert and Sullivan Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 25 * 1985 Utopia (Limited) by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 Cox and Box by Arthur Sullivan and F. C. Burnand Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Feb. 26 * 1984 Trial by Jury (cast) and H.M.S. Pinafore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 The Sorcerer by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Mar. 9, 10, 11 * 1983 Patience by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 Zing, Boom, Aye! (a musical potpourri) St. Brigid's Parish Hall, Amherst July 29, 30 The Prodigal Son by Arthur Sullivan (oratorio) Bowker Auditorium, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Apr. 24 An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan, plus The Zoo Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Mar. 13 * 1982 Ruddigore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 Trial by Jury by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium: Feb. 11 Congregation B'nai Israel, Northampton: Mar. 7 University Women: Mar. 19 Sturbridge Village (Conference): May 5 Springfield: July 4 * 1981 Princess Ida by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 * 1980 The Gondoliers by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan Amherst Regional Junior High School Auditorium Mar. 14 * 1979 The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (cast) Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 * 1978 The Yeomen of the Guard by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11 * 1977 The Mikado by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 9, 10, 11, 12 * 1976 Iolanthe by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 10, 11, 12, 13 * 1975 H.M.S. Pinafore by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Amherst Regional High School Auditorium Nov. 7, 8