{eb editorial note: this content is copied from the Word document 24 OIO Info and Policies ARTIST emailed to me as an example of a restricted content post}
2025 Opera In The Ozarks INFO and POLICIES
WELCOME TO THE 2025 SEASON!
Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point is a unique opera festival founded by Dr. Henry Hobart in 1950. Affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs, Opera in the Ozarks has earned the reputation of being a prominent training program for aspiring opera singers. The program’s most outstanding feature is that every participant is afforded an opportunity to perform in fully produced operas and in additional programs. Four rehearsal weeks and four production weeks are under the supervision of a professional staff. OIO is located five miles west of Eureka Springs on Hwy 62. One of the most scenic areas in the South Central USA, Inspiration Point is a lookout site situated atop Rock Candy Mountain between the beautiful White River Valley and Beaver Lake.
Not only have OIO alumni appeared in all of the major performing venues of the world, but also our participants have become successful teachers, conductors, directors, producers and designers. We are happy that you are joining us for another summer of music making and hope that this experience will be beneficial to your development as an artist and as a valued member of our society.
COVID PROTOCOLS
You will find all these protocols in your Performer’s Agreement- Addendum “A” 2024 OIO COVID Protocols. Please read thoroughly and email with any questions: opsdirector@opera.org As agreed to in your Performer’s Agreement, ALL PROTOCOLS ARE THE EXPRESSED POLICY OF OPERA IN THE OZARKS AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE ADHERED TO. Your safety, and the safety of every person at OIO depend on your responsible behavior. You will need to have a negative COVID test within 48 hours of arrival on campus. Please bring test results when you check in.
PRE-SEASON PAPERWORK
Please make sure that you fill out all of the Google forms (Medical, Acknowledgement) and upload your bio and hi-res JPEG to the Google Drive. This needs to be done as soon as possible. Links are in the body of your email, and at the bottom of this document.
CONSTRUCTION
We are so excited to be under construction for our new theater and facilities, which will be open for our 2025 season. That means that we will be dealing with construction for our 2024 season. Here are some policies to keep you and your property safe during this time.
● Please stay out of all fenced areas and where access is restricted and marked for construction.The construction will be taking place on the east end of campus behind the dining hall, and there will be trucks going and coming through the summer.
● Please be aware of trucks and traffic when walking to the dining hall, and parking lot. The trucks will try to stay behind the fences, but there will be times they will need to drive into campus.
● Please make sure you are parking correctly in the lot. There is more limited space this year, so we need to make sure we are parking close together. There may be times we will need to ask you to move your cars. Please comply at your earliest.
TRAVEL
If Traveling by Air: Please book flights into Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA).Members of the Eureka Springs Opera Guild will pick you up from the airport if you provide advance notice. Send your flight information to opsdirector@opera.org with “OIO Travel and Your Name” in the subject heading as soon as possible so we can schedule transportation to the opera facilities. We require two weeks advance notice to arrange rides. Your email should include:
Your name and email address
Your cell phone number on which you can be reached prior to arrival
Specific arrival information including airport, airline, flight number, and arrival time
Size and number of luggage
Return flight information if it is available.
If you have oversize baggage or an instrument, please let us know so we can arrange adequate cargo space.
We will not be able to accommodate last minute requests and you will have to find your own transportation. Public transportation from XNA to the Point is approximately $125.
If Arriving by Automobile: Highway 62 is very curvy and steep and is only 2 lanes. It is not a good idea to attempt this road at night for the first time. Try to arrive during daylight hours. If you have parents or friends driving with you, there are many motels within a ten mile radius of Inspiration Point, including national chains such as Quality Inn, Best Western, and Days Inn. The highway patrol enforces speed limits. Any tickets you get are your own responsibility.
You may park in front of the dorms to unload. Once you are settled in, you must move your vehicle up to the hill east of the dining hall. Park in one of the marked rows. Please park as close to the next vehicle as possible so that there is enough space for all cars.
CHECK IN
Check in is on May 22nd. ALL FEES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE REGISTRATION which ends at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. A credit card or check payable to Opera in the Ozarks is acceptable. The tuition covers meals, board and instruction. There is no discount for meals not consumed or classes missed.
The business office is a small house adjacent to Hwy 62 West. The entrance is the back door. When you arrive, check in, pay fees, and receive your housing assignment. You will most likely share a room. All rooms have been assigned. Any changes need to be approved by the Operations Director.
FIRST DAY
On May 22nd, there will be a continental breakfast at 8:00 am followed by a light lunch and full dinner. Lunch and dinner always have a salad bar. Those who have special dietary needs must inform us on your medical form. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your special needs but be aware that we cannot provide a Kosher kitchen or special religious foods. The dining hall is open 24/7 and always has bread, cereal, fruit, milk, water, coffee, etc. for you to snack on. One refrigerator will have space for medicine or personal snacks. Please do not open or use the refrigerators or freezers marked as storage.
There will be a mandatory orientation meeting at 8:30 am on May 23rd with the General Director Nancy Preis, Operations Director Chris Cathcart and the Artistic Director Tom Cockrell, in the dining hall. All admin and artistic staff will also be in attendance.
On May 23rd, each singer will audition for the assembled music staff. This allows the entire artistic staff to hear two selections before rehearsals begin the following day. Although roles have been assigned in advance, other assignments are possible after this hearing. The audition schedule will be posted in the dining hall.
All artists participate in Production Hour assignments and will be assigned dining hall clean up. Dining hall assignments consist of wiping down the tables and sweeping the floor, but students no longer wash dishes. In addition, you will be expected to assist with scene changes during the shows. Production hour and dining hall assignments will be posted in the dining hall.
PROGRAM POLICIES
Opera in the Ozarks has a community connection that is vital to its existence. Each person associated with OIO – faculty, staff and participants – must be aware of the importance of their actions while involved with the program. These policies should be read and followed carefully:
(1) The facility is owned by the Inspiration Point Fine Center for the Arts (IPCA) Board which is affiliated with the Federated Music Clubs of the South Central Region: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Individual members from these states show an interest in the care and upkeep of the property and may visit occasionally. For that reason, it is important that living quarters be maintained. Some furnishings, equipment and buildings were donated by the members and living areas cannot be altered without permission. Participants will be held accountable for lost or damaged property belonging to OIO.
(2) Living areas are semi-private. For peaceful co-existence, sleeping and rest time must be respected. Television/sound equipment, etc. must be used with headsets. Between 11:00 pm and 9:00 am, all noisy activity must cease in and around sleeping quarters. This includes the lounge in the basement of the men’s dorm. You may not practice or warm up in the dorms at any time. Please use a practice cabin or a coaching room. Also, the openness of the facility limits security. It is best not to bring valuables, but if you do, keep them locked in your car or on your person. OIO is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items. There are no locks on the doors of dorm rooms. There are locks on the exterior doors to the dorms. These doors should NEVER be propped open. The code to the dorms will be given to you at check in, but please make sure you keep it secure. No one outside the program should be given the code so that all participants can feel secure.
(3) Recreational DRUGS are NOT allowed on the premises and SMOKING is NOT allowed in any building. All faculty, staff and performers are expected to behave like mature adults and maintain decorum and collegiality. Eureka Springs and surrounding communities are intolerant of lawbreakers. Observe the speed limits. OIO has a good reputation and those who cannot abide by these standards will be dismissed from the program without reimbursement of fees.
(4) Sexual harassment in any form is strictly prohibited. Sexual harassment occurs when submission or rejection of unwanted sexual conduct is used as a basis for a casting or employment decision or when submission to sexual harassment is a condition for receiving employment benefits, promotions, raises, etc. Sexual harassment also occurs when unwelcome sexual conduct unreasonably interferes with job performance or creates an intimidating hostile, or offensive working environment, even it if does not lead to tangible or economic job consequences. Sexual harassment can include harassment of women by men, men by women, or same sex gender based harassment. If you believe you or someone else has been treated in a discriminatory manner, or has been harassed, you MUST report the alleged act IMMEDIATELY to the General Director. A more detailed harassment policy has been sent to you through email and requires an acknowledgement receipt.
(5) Out-of-state checks may be accepted by local banks but may require an authorized co-signature from our office. There are ATMs in town, but none on campus.
(6) All medical expenses are the responsibility of each individual faculty, staff or performer. Your medical information MUST be on file at the time of registration. Please fill out the attached form before registration.
(7) Cell phones are highly recommended. The office phone (479-253-8595) is available for emergencies or for calls from those leaving a message for you. Please inform those who may need to contact you of this policy. We cannot summon you for a phone call in the office.
(8) Due to health and safety concerns, we are not allowing visitors to the campus, other than audience members.
(9) We do not assume any responsibility for your safety if you violate our rules about use of our facilities. Climbing on top of buildings is strictly prohibited.
WHAT TO BRING
CLOTHING – Early in the season, the weather can be rainy and cool, especially during the evenings. Sweatshirts, sweaters, rain wear, umbrellas and jackets are suggested. Plan to dress in layers as the weather can warm up quickly. Later, the weather can be quite hot and humid. Bring light clothes, shorts, t-shirts, swimwear (there is a beautiful lake nearby). The conditions of the facility are rustic – do not bring delicate or very expensive clothing.
Please be sure to bring and wear underwear for all costume fittings and for performances.
Nice clothes for auditions and master classes are required. Please remember that we are all ambassadors for the program and for the art form and conduct yourself professionally.
MEN: Please bring a dark suit, dress shirt and conservative tie, dark leather shoes and dark dress socks. A conservative sport coat and good pants can substitute for a suit. No flip flops or athletic shoes will be permitted for performances. The costume designer will inform you of any other requirements.
WOMEN: Bring either a dress or separates suitable for auditions and master classes. Women should bring character and/or dress shoes – no flip flops or athletic shoes for performances. The costume designer will inform you of any other requirements.
EVERYONE: Work clothes will also be needed. Everyone will be expected to pitch in for changeovers between performances while we are in rep. You will also spend some time working with set pieces or in the costume shop assisting for the sake of the common good. MAKE SURE YOU BRING CLOSED TOE SHOES FOR SAFETY REASONS.
PERSONAL ITEMS – Bring bedding for a single bunk bed, INCLUDING A MATTRESS COVER, sheets, blankets, pillow and pillow case, as well as towels and personal hygiene and bath products. Because dorm bathrooms are shared facilities, you might want to bring a robe and shower shoes (flip flops). Dorms are air-conditioned. Ear plugs are highly recommended. Bring laundry detergent and dryer sheets (washer and dryers are available). The nearest Wal-Mart is in Berryville, 22 miles from us. You can order anything you need online and have it delivered to the campus. You can also order online from Walmart for pickup.
If you wish to join the morning yoga classes, bring your own mat and yoga clothing. You will also need a good water bottle. Be sure to put your name on your stuff in case you leave it somewhere.
If you wish to ship some items ahead of your arrival, we will be able to accept packages in the office. Both UPS and FedEx deliver to our campus. See below for address info.
YOUR PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED. Several of the staff may have pets. Use good sense when approaching these pets – they are stressed from all the new people and may not be as cuddly as your stuffed animal pets.
MUSIC – Bring audition music, and scores that you may want to study or perform. Bring possible selections to be considered for our Broadway Cabaret program. All artists are encouraged to sign up for participation in master classes with resident artists and guest masterclasses. Bring repertoire that you wish to study and receive feedback on.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
MAIL: Mail is distributed daily in the cafeteria in an alphabetized mailbox.
OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESS: Opera in the Ozarks 16311, Hwy 62 W, Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Office phone number is 479-253-8595.
DAILY SCHEDULES: Daily schedules for rehearsals, coachings, costume fittings, etc. will be posted in the dining hall on the wall nearest the highway. Check these frequently to make sure you are in the right place at the right time. PLEASE BE ON TIME FOR COSTUME FITTINGS as that schedule is very tight.
Performance schedules are set after the rehearsals are underway. It takes about two weeks to finalize this schedule. When you know your performance dates, alert those who will travel to see you so that they can purchase tickets for the right performances. There are no complimentary tickets available. Motels can be very busy so give your guests adequate time to find a place to stay.
Daily announcements are made at lunch. If you do not attend lunch, make sure you check with your colleagues to find out if there were announcements that concern you. Your absence does not mean you are exempt from any announcements, nor is it an excuse.
PROGRAM INFORMATION: The season program will include a brief bio and small headshot for each performer and staff. Please complete the bio submission Google form and upload your pic by MAY 1. Be sure to use the format on the submission form. Headshots should be high resolution.
A general note on headshots: Headshots will be cropped to a uniform size and will be printed in black and white. It is advisable to have headshots taken with plain backgrounds and good contrast and without extraneous things (like your hands or your friends) near your face. Selfies taken on your phone are almost never good enough. Try to present a professional appearance by wearing a jacket, white or light colored shirt or a nice top.
PLEASE CHECK THE SIZE OF THE FILE YOU SEND – WE NEED A FILE THAT IS HIGH RESOLUTION.
VALUABLES: Please leave valuables at home. Dorm rooms are not locked and there is no way to ensure the safety of your valuables. We are not responsible if your valuables disappear. Keep your cellphone with you.
HEALTH: Be sure to bring adequate supplies of any prescription or over the counter medicines you need.While we have first aid kits on site, we do not provide inhalers, insulin, epinephrine, or other emergency medicines. Medicines requiring refrigeration can be stored in the student-use refrigerator in the dining hall. Clearly mark your name on your meds.
If you become ill and need to be excused from activities, you must let the Directors know immediately. Due to our 2024 COVID protocols, all illnesses will have to be evaluated by our medical staff. If you need to see additional medical personnel, we will coordinate the next step. There is a walk-in clinic and a small hospital in Eureka Springs. The nearest full-service hospital with a 24 hour emergency room is in Berryville. There are signs posted in the dining hall and the office with the phone numbers and address of these facilities. The cost of health care is your responsibility, but we will drive you if you contact the Operations Director as soon as possible. Paramedics are community volunteers, so emergency response times are not as fast as they might be in a city. Of course, if you or someone you observe experiences a life threatening injury or illness, call 911 immediately.
WIFI is available across the entire campus. We have updated our wifi system, both in speed, coverage and bandwidth, but with over 100 devices on site, there will still be sometimes when you will have limited or no wifi access. Do not anticipate being able to use wifi without interruption. We discourage everyone from using wifi to live-stream a movie or Skype. Facebook, Twitter, email and other forms of non-streaming data should be fine.
MAKING COPIES We have a copier in the office that is available for staff use. You can make a few copies, but this copier is not for you to copy scores and long documents for personal use. If the copier jams, please ask staff to fix it. DO NOT TRY TO FIX IT YOURSELF.
FINAL REMINDERS – Know your music before arrival! You must be off book very soon after arrival. This includes dialogue or recits as well as arias. Your schedule will be packed for the first four weeks. Be flexible, have a good attitude and support your colleagues as you focus on the challenge of mastering an incredible amount of performance material in a short time. Take care of your health, use your time wisely. We will create great memories with a resolute purpose and unified effort. It seems like a lot, but remember, we have over 3,000 alumni who have completed this program before you and many of them have had or are enjoying great careers! We repeatedly hear that the OIO experience prepared them for learning roles in a short period of time, which influenced their ability to get hired.
Please call or email if you have questions:
Nancy Preis, General Director, cellphone 727-656-8257; generaldirector@opera.org
Tom Cockrell, Artistic Director, cellphone 520-991-4662, artisticdirector@opera.org
Chris Cathcart, Operations Director, cellphone 417-676-0062, opsdirector@opera.org
CHECKLIST
Mark these dates on your calendar as there are upcoming deadlines:
ASAP for costume measurements
May 1 for Acknowledgement Form, Medical Form, Bio Submission form and Headshot
May 8 for airport transportation requests
1. Complete the costume designer’s measurement form and send it to costumekim@gmail.com ASAP.
2. If traveling by air you must email opsdirector@opera.org with your flight information, airline and flight number, arrival time and destination – either Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA). We must have at least two weeks advance notice, so please send info by MAY 8.
3. Complete your bio form online along with an upload of your pic:
4. Complete the medical form online:
5. Complete the acknowledgement form online:
6. Get a negative COVID test within 48 hours of travel. Bring negative result test document with you.
7. Pack adequate supplies of all medications for at least 60 days.
8. Pack bedding, towels, personal hygiene items, summer clothes, a jacket or sweater, nice clothes for auditions and master classes, and character shoes. Pack an umbrella or rain wear and swimwear.
9. LEARN YOUR MUSIC. You must be off-book very shortly after arrival.