The company’s upcoming “Celebration of Opera" event, “Pirates and Arias,” brings together an abridged version of “The Pirates of Penzance," and a selection of arias and ensemble pieces from opera and musical theater. Presented in two parts with a short intermission, the evening is designed to be approachable, offering both familiar storytelling and a range of musical styles in a single performance.

It also marks a first for the organization.

For this event, Opera Steamboat is introducing a fully donation-based ticket model, removing fixed prices in an effort to make performances more accessible to the broader community.

“We were prompted to think more seriously about accessibility, especially for adults,” says Adam Stone, the company’s operations and artistic coordinator. “This is an effort to start addressing that.”

The shift reflects a growing focus on expanding who feels welcome at local arts events, particularly in a town where cultural offerings often compete with seasonal tourism and outdoor recreation.

At the same time, “Pirates and Arias” represents a new level of collaboration. The production is the result of a partnership with Opera Colorado, whose young artists touring program will provide the performers for the evening. The collaboration brings professional singers from outside the region into an intimate, community-centered setting.

The idea for the event originated with former board member Valerie Davia and grew through conversations with Opera Colorado, highlighting a model of cooperation that organizers hope to build on in the future.

Behind the scenes, the production has taken shape during a period of transition for Opera Steamboat, including leadership changes earlier this year. For audiences, however, the experience is designed to feel simple and inviting.

The choice of “The Pirates of Penzance,” a widely recognized and lighthearted work, offers an entry point for those who may be new to opera, while the inclusion of additional arias and ensemble pieces broadens the appeal to a range of musical tastes. Presented in English and in an abridged format, the performance lowers traditional barriers of length, language and familiarity.

The setting itself reinforces that approach. With a capacity of around 70 attendees, the Art Depot allows for a close connection between performers and audience, creating a more immediate and personal experience than larger venues typically provide.

Organizers hope the combination of accessibility, collaboration and scale will help expand the role of opera within Steamboat’s arts scene – reaching new audiences while maintaining a high level of artistic quality.

“We have a lot of youth programming,” Adam says. “But this is about making sure adults feel that same access – that opera is for them, too.”

If successful, “Pirates and Arias” could signal a shift in how performing arts organizations in Steamboat approach both programming and audience engagement – placing greater emphasis on flexibility, inclusivity and community connection.

 The “Celebration of Opera" event will take place Thursday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Depot Art Center. To RSVP and for more information visit https://operasteamboat.org/2025-2026-operas/.