Opportunities

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program

Program Information
The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program is a national model for the professional development of young singers. Created by Artistic Director Emeritus John Moriarty in 1978, the rigorous 10-week program integrates daily opera training in diction, movement, stage combat, acting, stage technique, individual coaching and role study; sessions in career management; networking and feedback through an industry showcase; rehearsals and performance opportunities in the summer’s main stage and additional festival productions.

Central City Opera’s 2026 season features mainstage productions of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE, and TITLE TBD. Mainstage assignments include covering Leading and Supporting roles and performing Featured, Bit, and Ensemble roles. Additionally, members of the BSFATP will star in the Nina Odescalchi Kelly Matinee performance of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO in the historic jewel-box opera house and will have the opportunity to participate in an industry showcase for managers and arts administrators.

The Program offers three levels of training:
Developing Artists: open to former members of the BSFATP, these emerging artists are developing their careers and are engaged to perform Leading, Featured, or Supporting roles in mainstage productions, as well as other public performance opportunities.
Apprentice Artists: Apprentice Artists perform in the Chorus and take on Solo Bit and Chorus Bit roles in up to three mainstage productions. Artists may also be engaged to perform Secondary roles and to cover Featured and Leading roles in mainstage productions and other public performances.
Studio Artists: Studio Artists perform in the Chorus in up to three mainstage productions and will complete opera scenes study culminating in public performances. In this pre-apprentice experience for singers of demonstrated potential, artists may take on Solo Bit and Chorus Bit roles, cover Secondary and Featured roles in mainstage productions.
All Program activities take place in Central City in housing, training, and performance facilities owned by the Association. Central City Opera provides round-trip travel and housing for all BSFATP Artists. Given the proximity of these facilities, the Program has sustained its original and unique value – interaction among the trainees, the staff, and the principal singers. Founded in 1932, Central City Opera is the fifth oldest professional opera company in the country and is renowned for exquisite world-class productions, a robust young artist training program, creative education activities and community engagement. Our annual summer opera festival takes place at 8,500 feet above sea level in the Colorado mountain town of Central City, only 35 miles west of Denver, where the company owns and maintains 27 Victorian-era properties, including the intimate 550-seat jewel box opera house built in 1878.

Compensation
Payment is provided. The BSFATP provides opportunities for Artists to be introduced to a professional work environment and expectations. Over the ten weeks of the Program, Artists will engage in class work, study, and a variety of performance opportunities. Artists can expect to complete a normal daily schedule of up to four hours of training (which may include classes up to five days per week) and up to six hours of rehearsal and performance Tuesdays through Sundays. Mondays are a Free Day. As compensation, all BSFATP Artists receive travel and housing. Developing and Apprentice Artists are compensated minimum weekly salary and per performance role pay, according to the 2026 rates published in CCO’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Studio Artists receive all instruction and training on a FULL SCHOLARSHIP BASIS plus an Honorarium to contribute towards weekly living expenses and per performance pay as applicable, according to the 2025 rates published in CCO’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Link to CCO-AGMA CBA: 2023-2027-Central-City-Opera-CBA-Signed.pdf (centralcityopera.org)

Developing Artists:
Weekly Stipend: $1,101.25
Additional Per Performance Pay as contracted: Mainstage Leading: $316.22 per performance; Small Venues Performance: $550.63 to $708.74 per performance
Travel included
Housing provided
Eligible for hourly overtime

Apprentice Artists:
Weekly Stipend: $621.00
Additional Per Performance Pay as contracted: Mainstage Leading/Featured: $316.22 per performance; Mainstage Supporting: $95.26 per performance; Mainstage Solo Bit: $61.27 per performance; Small Venues Performance: $61.80 per performance
Travel included
Housing provided
Eligible for hourly overtime

Studio Artists: Studio Artists receive all instruction and training on a FULL SCHOLARSHIP BASIS plus an Honorarium to contribute towards weekly living expenses.
Weekly Honorarium: $400.00
Additional Per Performance Pay as contracted: Mainstage Leading/Featured: $316.22 per performance; Mainstage Supporting: $95.26 per performance; Mainstage Solo Bit: $61.27 per performance; Small Venues Performance: $61.80 per performance
Travel included
Housing provided
Central City Opera employs singers, actors, dancers, and production staff under an AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) agreement and pays competitive wages.

Materials Required
Please submit the following:
Completed application form
Link to Stagetime profile providing the following:
Resume
Headshot
Two (2) videos
Please note each application is adjudicated by at least 2 people from a panel of adjudicators. The panel adheres to a standardized review process.

Please note that there is no MAXIMUM age limit for applicants. Applicants should be 21 years of age.

Please note that there is no application fee and that a pianist will be provided for all in-person auditions. Central City Opera will not reimburse for artist-provided pianist fees.

About Pre-Screening Videos
One (1) must be an opera aria and the other may be opera, art song, musical theater, etc. of your choice
Videos must be no more than 6 months old

Audition Guidelines
Central City Opera’s annual in-person audition tour will take place in Baltimore, Denver, New York City, and San Francisco. In addition, VIRTUAL auditions are available through submission and review of Stagetime video content. In-person auditions are encouraged whenever possible, but CCO welcomes those who are not available or unable to sing in-person at one of our audition locations to apply for a virtual audition.

Audition Requirements
Audition repertoire should show a variety of styles and languages and MUST include at least one (1) selection in English. Operetta, oratorio, musical theatre, and new works selections are welcome. Those granted auditions will have the opportunity to schedule an audition time and convey audition repertoire at a later stage.
at least three (3) options should be opera arias
at least one (1) option is REQUIRED to be in English
Audition repertoire substitutions are allowed. Please provide an updated repertoire list at the time of your audition. We encourage you to look at the season repertoire and make your repertoire and language selections accordingly.