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The 96-Hour Opera Project, a composition showcase competition in which teams of composers and librettists have four days to rehearse and premiere new and compelling 10-minute operas.

Participating teams will travel to Atlanta having previously completed and submit new works based on provided story prompts. Creative teams will spend four days collaborating with singers and pianists, rehearsing and fine tuning these works in advance of the final public showcase on June 13 on the stage at the historic Morehouse College. Travel, housing, singers, pianists, and rehearsal space will be provided to each composer/librettist team. The winning team will split a $10,000 prize, which will serve as the first installment on a commission to write a chamber opera for a future season at The Atlanta Opera. All other participating artists are each guaranteed a $1,000 honorarium.

Designed specifically for composers and librettists from historically underrecognized communities, the 96-Hour Opera Project is open to those who self-identify as part of a demographic that has been under-presented in the creative pantheon of opera.

Application is limited to emerging artists who are determined to have significant skills as a composer and/or playwright/librettist through academic study and limited professional experiences; who demonstrates a unique perspective that could benefit from mentorship. Artist's work in other genres may have been performed professionally as our definition of emerging applies specifically to an artist's development and career stage as a creator of opera.

Successful applicants will express interest and enthusiasm for opera as a form for storytelling and their work, however artists with no previous opera experience are encouraged to apply. They will demonstrate excellence as evidenced by submitted samples of previous composition/writing and a developed voice in their chosen art form and will commit to following a provided story prompt to develop a 10-minute work for a maximum of two voices.

There are no age minimums or maximums for participation.

Please contact at [email protected] with any questions regarding this application.

When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it in the form below.

Applicant Information

Name
Email Address
Address
When is the best time for us to reach you via telephone?
Please format as mm/dd/yyyy
Are you a permanent resident or citizen of the United States?
(we are only able to accept permanent residents and citizens of the United States for this project).

Competition Information

You are applying to the 96-Hour Opera Project as a ...
Are you applying as part of a team? (Composer and librettist together)
If you are accepted into the competition, and your partner is not, do you still wish to be considered as an individual applicant?
(5MB file size limit)
Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, docx, txt, Max. file size: 5 MB.
(5MB file size limit)
Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, docx, txt, Max. file size: 5 MB.
(5MB file size limit)
Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, docx, txt, Max. file size: 5 MB.
We request files with 300dpi resolution, or greater (10MB size limit)
Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, heic, heif, Max. file size: 10 MB.

Composer Samples

Only complete this section if you are applying as a composer.

Please submit three work samples (contrasting styles preferred), consisting of either an audio or video link accompanied by a PDF score link. Please include one piece that showcases vocal writing and one work sample that showcases skills in orchestral writing.
How will you provide samples of work?
If you choose to offer a combination of video and audio submissions, please do not include more than THREE files in total. Maximum number of links (combined total) permitted: 3
If you choose to offer a combination of video and audio submissions, please do not include more than THREE files in total. Maximum number of files (combined total) permitted: (size limit 50MB combined)
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: mp4, mov, mkv, wmv, avi, webm, hevc, Max. file size: 50 MB, Max. files: 3.
    While video is strongly preferred, you may submit audio submissions if needed. Maximum number links (combined total) permitted: 3

    If you choose to offer a combination of video and audio submissions, please do not include more than THREE files in total. Maximum number of files (combined total) permitted: 3 (size limit 50MB combined)
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: mp3, mp4, mp4, mov, mkv, wmv, avi, webm, aac, ogg, wav, aiff, flac, alac, Max. file size: 50 MB, Max. files: 3.
      While video is strongly preferred, you may submit audio submissions if needed. Maximum number links (combined total) permitted: 3

      If you choose to offer a combination of video and audio submissions, please do not include more than THREE files in total. Maximum number of files (combined total) permitted: 3 (size limit 10MB combined)
      Drop files here or
      Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, docx, txt, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 3.

        Librettist Samples

        Only complete this section if you are applying as a librettist.

        Please submit two contrasting work samples in PDF format. Work samples do not necessarily need be opera libretti, but samples should showcase your dramatic writing skills. Please limit each submission to one scene that is 10-15 pages. Submissions will be evaluated based off of artistic excellence or the potential for artistic excellence, artistic ability, knowledge of both vocal and orchestral writing (composers), and character development (librettists).

        Please submit links to two contrasting work samples (one scene each 10-15 pages only). Maximum number of documents permitted: 5 (size limit 10MB combined)
        Drop files here or
        Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, docx, txt, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 5.

          References

          Please list two professional references.
          Please provide: Name, email, phone, and relationship to applicant
          Please provide: Name, email, phone, and relationship to applicant

          Stories that Resonate

          The Atlanta Opera will provide a compelling story theme or themes for the participating librettists and composers. The story prompts will be given to the creative teams in advance of the competition with time to engage in exploration and research on the subject.
          Stories that Resonate
          Please select the themes below to which you identify and/or appeal to you as a storyteller. Your selections may be used to help assemble creative teams as needed.
          Please list any additional themes to which you identify and/or appeal to you as a storyteller.

          Demographic Survey

          The Atlanta Opera requires all applicants to complete a Demographic Survey. Survey information is collected for the purpose of assessing the diversity of our applicants and improving our application process.
          Affiliation based on biological lineage or parentage without regard to cultural/ethnic affiliation.This is not where you were born, but the various geographical regions that your biological ancestors inhabited. You may have ancestors from multiple world regions.
          Is there anything else about your identity that you'd like to share with us?
          Media Agreement(Required)

          The 96-Hour Opera Project will incorporate creative works from multiple individuals and institutions and will be recorded as a broadcast/streaming production to be available on Georgia Public Broadcasting and The Atlanta Opera Film Studio streaming service. For these reasons, contestants will be required to sign agreements regarding the use of their likeness and creative contributions as a condition of participation.


          I agree that by submitting this application, I am available for the 96-Hour Opera Project Competition taking place in Atlanta from June 10-13, 2026 and will enter into an agreement allowing my likeness and creative contributions to be recorded for broadcast/streaming purposes.

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