Storyteller-in-Residence Program

TellTale Opera Theatre (Baltimore, MD) seeks proposals from artists willing to create a 10-15 minute opera-theatre works that challenge or expand the definition of opera for the second iteration of our signature program, the Sandbox Opera Showcase (SOS) The four selected artists will serve as our 2027 Storytellers-in-Residence, working with TellTale to develop and premier of their own original short operatic works in Baltimore in Spring 2027.

Apply Here:
https://forms.gle/3pPBfebbTKdCMp9d7

The Program

Artists selected as a 2027 Storyteller-in-Residence will be asked to create a complete 10-15 minute opera, including libretto and score. Use of traditional Western musical notation is not required, but the score must be able to be used to stage and rehearse the piece.

Storytellers will be asked to meet periodically with TellTale staff and the SOS creative team over Zoom throughout the process. These will be opportunities for the storyteller to share their work, ask questions of the creative team, and receive feedback on their piece in development.

Completed scores will be due in November of 2026 for a public performance in Spring 2027. Specific deadlines for components of the project (completed libretto, draft scores, etc) will be determined with each Storyteller.

Program Compensation

Storytellers-in-Residence will receive the following for their participation in this program:

  • Development assistance and premiere of your project in Spring 2027.

  • Access to high-quality audio and video recordings of the live performance.

  • A $550 stipend.

Eligibility

  • Storytellers of any training level or educational background are invited to apply. Applicants need not consider themselves to be a “composer,” but some aptitude for music will be helpful in creating a work of musical storytelling.

  • This opportunity is intended to highlight voices who live in or have strong connections to Baltimore or the DMV/Mid-Atlantic region. Storytellers must be able to be present in Baltimore, MD for the premiere and dress rehearsal. Unfortunately, TellTale Opera Theatre is not able to provide support for housing or travel at this time for Storytellers-in-Residence.

  • Creators who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous Person of Color) are strongly encouraged to apply, as well as those who identify as gender-marginalized, including (but not limited to) women, non-binary, and trans composers.

  • Artists who primarily create outside of a traditionally “contemporary classical” musical space or who work across genres are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Materials

The following application materials are required for proposals to be considered:

  • A written proposal (no more than 2 pages) including:

    • A summary of the story the artist hopes to tell.

      • Note: We are looking for stories that can reasonably be told in no more than 15 minutes. Portions of larger works will not be considered.

    • A list of characters and casting requirements (see below)

    • A list of instruments required, including any electronics (see below)

    • A statement from the artist that explains why this story needs to be told on stage.

      • Consider: How does this story expand the definition of opera? Why does this story need to be told now? 

  • A current 1 page resume and 250 word biography

  • Links to at least two audio or video recordings of your recent work, totalling no more than 10 minutes. Samples that feature voice are highly encouraged


Voices/Instrumentation:

Completed projects must prominently feature at least 1 vocalist, but the cast must be no larger than 4 vocalists. Any voice type is acceptable, though it must be stated in the proposal which specific voice types will be required. 

The use of instruments is not required, but highly recommended. No more than 4 instrumentalists may be used for any one project, including a performer designated to operate any electronics. In your proposal, please list up to four 4 instrumentalists that you would like to use from the following list: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Percussion (excluding mallet percussion), Electronic Keyboard, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Electronics. Proposals with instruments outside of this list will be considered on a case by case basis.

Electronics are available upon request. Please provide a full electronic rider that includes the equipment required and a plan for operating the electronics. Note that TellTale Opera Theatre is not able to create custom Max patches or code associated with live processing sound, but we are able to work with pre-existing materials, including amplification and playback. Please include in the rider what equipment the artist is able to provide, and what equipment is being requested from TellTale Opera Theatre. Note whether mono or stereo playback is required.

Suggested Donation

There is a $10 suggested donation with this application to help cover the cost of adjudicating proposals. Eligibility will not be affected by whether or not an applicant makes a donation.

About TellTale Opera Theatre:

TellTale Opera Theatre is a Baltimore based organization that presents new and contemporary operatic works that ask the question, “What can opera be?”  We imagine opera redefined by collaborating with a broad range of artists - composers, vocalists, instrumentalists, storytellers, and beyond - to tell expansive stories not limited by genre, style, or medium.

Based in Baltimore, TellTale works closely with local artists in order to showcase the city’s rich cultural capital. We create theatre from an ethos of scrappiness. Our small storefront operating budget goes mainly to paying artists and musicians. We manage to build worlds on stage through a combination of community support, DIY mentality, and artistic force of will.

Apply Here:
https://forms.gle/3pPBfebbTKdCMp9d7