Brigham Young University
by Shea Owens
Opera unites music, drama, poetry, and design into a single act of transcendent storytelling. More than just entertainment, opera forges connections — between singer and character, performer and audience, art and life. This presentation explores those relationships and the ways they shape and change us.
Drawing on examples from the operatic stage as well as my own work as a performer and teacher, I will explore how singers transform technical skills — language, diction, vocal technique, and stagecraft — into tools of storytelling that bring characters to life with authenticity and depth. Supported by the theatrical elements of staging, design, and especially music, these performances allow audiences to experience heightened emotion and beauty while also discovering meaning through the stories and struggles of the characters themselves.
In a world that often elevates individuality and, in a culture where technology encourages isolation, the communal act of storytelling has never been more vital. Opera reminds us that our lives gain clarity and richness not in solitude, but in shared experience. The art of creating and experiencing opera connects us to one another and helps us see our humanity more fully.