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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
18
|
October 15 - November 6, 2016
To connect
Chicago Voices
with communities
throughout the city, Lyric is partnering with
Chicago Public Library, Chicago History
Museum, and Columbia College on the
initiative.
It was important to both Fleming and
Freud that
Chicago Voices
invite audiences to
connect with the musical genres and styles that
speak to them. Every aspect of the initiative is
meant to celebrate the human voice, while also
highlighting and amplifying the narratives of
everyday Chicagoans.
With those goals firmly in mind,
Community Created Performances became
Chicago Voices
’ first major venture. Shortly
after the launch, groups of Chicagoans were
invited to submit stories based on their unique
communities and what they’ve experienced
within those communities. Specifically, Lyric
hoped to bring to light parts of life in Chicago
that may not appear on the news or in the
papers. “We really wanted groups to apply
from all backgrounds and skill levels,” says
Cayenne Harris, director of Lyric Unlimited.
“It was important for us that community
members were able to share the stories that
were significant and powerful to them.”
The application process encouraged
groups to define what community they were
a part of, and what story their group hoped
to tell. Applicants were also asked to utilize
the Chicago Public Library 2016 One Book,
One Chicago theme, “Chicago: The City
That Gives,” to help frame the stories of their
communities.
From the applicant groups, semifinalists
were chosen, after which the public had the
opportunity to vote for the stories they found
most compelling. The three groups receiving
the largest number of votes went through a
16-week creative process to develop an original
music-theater work, with the support of a
Lyric-hired professional team and a $10,000
stipend. Groups turned their stories into fully-
realized productions, which were presented
to the public on September 24 in a free
performance at the Harris Theater.
As a world-class opera company, Lyric
presents mainstage performances that are
planned years in advance, cast with renowned
artists, and rehearsed meticulously from
top to bottom, controlled completely by a
rigorous and well-travelled path from rehearsal
room to stage. When it comes to presenting
any production, no detail is overlooked. In
contrast, Community Created Performances
turns this model on its ear. “We wanted to
put the creative control into the hands of
communities to tell their own stories through
song,” says Freud. “This is exciting for us, as we
want to cast a spotlight on the untold stories of
Chicagoans and the tremendous creativity that
exists in our city.”
In an ever-changing digital climate,
technology shaped the Community Created
Performances in numerous ways. Chicago
Public Library (CPL), which in 2015 provided
over 2.5 million free internet sessions to
Chicago residents in their 80 branches citywide,
played a vital role in introducing community
members to
Chicago Voices
. Information
sessions were held at 11 neighborhood
branches to spread the word about the
program, encourage participation, and address
any lingering questions community members
might have. Groups were able to utilize the
library’s computers to apply for the program
online. “The Chicago Public Library’s network
A major project of
Chicago Voices
was
Chicago SING!
, which toured the city last summer
to record Chicagoans singing their favorite songs!
Harmony, Hope & Healing participants work with animateur Cheryl Coons to define their community’s story; HH&H community lead Marge Nykaza
participating in a group story development activity; and Marcia Berry (left) and Wes Cline (right), Harmony, Hope & Healing participants,
work together to create the story of
A Circle of Hope
. (Photos by Jaclyn Simpson.)