Earth to Kenzie
A One-Act Opera for Grades K–5
Music by Frances Pollock
Libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo
Co-commissioned by Seattle Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Bring live opera to your school! This spring, Seattle Opera is thrilled to present Earth to Kenzie, an opera written for youth audiences that tells the story of Kenzie, an imaginative fifth grader who finds comfort in her favorite video game when her home is threatened, and she finds herself living in a family shelter with her mom.
This new one-act opera charms with innovative and approachable tunes, while the memorable characters showcase the story’s themes of empathy and finding strength despite adversity. The fully staged and costumed opera is performed with professional singers and live piano accompaniment. A study guide is provided in advance to help deepen classroom discussions surrounding the housing crisis that impacts our community, and each performance is followed by a post-show Q&A with the cast.
Questions? Email schoolprograms@seattleopera.org.
Touring Mid-February through Early May 2025
Bookings Available Now!
Performance Run Time: 1 hour; includes pre-show audience prep and post-show Q&A.
Early Bird Discount: $650 per performance, or $950 for two shows back-to-back if you book before December 20.
For bookings after December 20, the rate for one performance is $750 and two performances is $1000.
Note: Performances located more than 125 miles from Seattle Center may accrue an additional travel fee. Email schoolprograms@seattleopera.org for questions.
Seattle Opera is committed to providing equitable access to the arts. Financial assistance is available.
Title I Schools are eligible to receive performances of Earth to Kenzie at no cost! Contact us for details.
Book a Performance
Additional Program Add-Ons
Seattle Opera now offers two teaching-artist led classroom programs to help prepare your students for the opera performance.
Add-ons are only available for schools within a 30-mile radius of the Seattle Center campus.
Opera Time: For Pre-K–2nd Grade
This interactive, 45-minute musical storytelling program serves as the perfect introduction to opera through singing and read-aloud story time featuring the book A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning. $70 per session.
Performance Prep Classes: For Grades 2–6
During this 2-session program, student participants will have the opportunity to dive deeper into the art form of opera as well as the story and music of Earth to Kenzie. Teaching artists will also lead student participants in discussions about what it means to be unstably housed while exploring tangible ways that they can support the unhoused populations in their communities. $140 per program (includes 2 sessions).