Stageworks is among the largest young artist festivals in North America, with over 100 participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. The 17-night tour at Indian Head will feature opera (The Magic Flute, Pagliacci and Suor Angelica), musical theater (Ragtime, 2 Cabaret Nights), choral program (Carmina Burana), and instrumental performances (highlights from Porgy and Bess, Mostly Mozart concert, big-band concert).

The faculty for this all-new festival includes Broadway veterans, a Grammy-winning classical conductor, a music director from the Los Angeles Opera, and performers and teachers from the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Kennedy Center, New York City Opera and the world's leading universities and conservatories. Guest artists for the performances include the internationally acclaimed artists Michael Maniaci, Rebecca Turner and Stephen Reid.

The participants include youth, adults, faculty, students, technicians, paid staff and volunteers from across the nation. The purpose of Stageworks is to offer world-class professional entertainment for the local community while promoting, encouraging and training emerging young artists, many of whom are destined for professional careers in music, opera and theater.

Along with the ambitious lineup of performances, the talented young artists selected for the festival will take advantage of weeks of professional master classes, workshops and coaching by some of America's most accomplished music teachers, directors and choreographers.

The Stageworks Festival - three years in the making - is headed by artistic director Lisa Kay Morton, who hopes to make it an annual event in Indian Head. Morton, a veteran opera singer, coach and director, explains, “It is my dream to create an opportunity to promote, encourage and train emerging young artists as well as provide my fellow Charles County residents the opportunity to enjoy the top-notch music for a very low price.“

For more information, visit www.stageworksfestival.org or call (800) 918-0420 ext. 3 or visit artisticdirector@stageworksfestival.or on the web.