Houston Grand Opera’s First-Ever Family Day

November 9, 2024—It was early on a Saturday morning, and the Wortham Theater Center was teeming with people. Girls adorned in frilly dresses, bedazzled tracksuits, and opulent ballgowns pranced around the Grand Foyer, and boys in crisp suits and brightly colored button-ups weaved around their parents. With all the young guests in their finery, you would've thought that HGO was holding its very own royal ball! And in a way, it was: HGO’s first annual Family Day, featuring Rossini’s crowd-pleasing Cinderella, had begun. 

“We created Family Day because art is essential for young minds, and Houstonians of all ages deserve musical experiences of the highest quality,” says HGO CEO and General Director Khori Dastoor. The day was designed to introduce children to the art form, with pre-show and intermission activities adding even more excitement to a special English-language, 90-minute staging of the opera in the Wortham’s sold-out Brown Theater, directed by mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard.  

Thanks to generous support from Nabors Industries, Judy and Richard Agee, Jennifer and Benjamin Fink, Renee Margolin, and The Elkins Foundation, HGO had pulled out all the stops to ensure a magical time was had by all. Younger guests gathered in the Brown Alcove for a Cinderella Storytime led by Harris County Public Library, adding their own sound effects story and gasping at its dramatic twists and turns. Elsewhere, younger tots worked together to create joyful noise at the instrument petting zoo, where rattling tambourines, shaking maracas, and the banging of drums made up the musical stylings of an impromptu band.  

Michelle, a mother who first heard about Family Day during one of HGO’s Storybook Opera performances at her local library, was overjoyed that she and her daughter Sofia were seeing their first opera together. “I’ve always wanted to come to the opera, but have never been able to make it,” she said. “And my daughter is getting interested in theater, so I thought this would be a really great first step for us both.” 

Soon, Cinderella and Prince Charming swanned into the foyer to take photos with their adoring subjects. A gaggle of kids and their parents followed closely behind, eager for a chance to pose with royalty. “It's Cinderella!” one girl gasped, spinning around and dragging her mother to chase after her.  

Also paying a visit to the Wortham on the big day was a gaggle of giant costumed rats—Cinderella's ever-loyal friends from the production—who scurried to and fro across the foyer, bowing to the little lords and ladies and asking for tithings of cheese. “Cheese?” giggled a girl in a blue ballgown and tiara. Her cheeks were dusted in matching blue gemstones courtesy of artists at The Glitter Bar, HGO’s own fairy godmother for the day. “No!” Soon a group of children who had fashioned their own rat masks ran by.  

In the center of the room, visitors swarmed around craft stations piled high with markers, crayons, and pipe-cleaners, eager to assemble their own crowns and tiaras ahead of the show. They approached the task with the gravity of someone trying to solve a particularly difficult test question, and when their work was done, walked away with their creations sitting proudly atop their heads.  

With the festivities in full swing, some visitors took the time to stop by the Sensory Room set up for the occasion. Family Day was a “sensory-friendly” performance, with accommodations including low lighting, the ability to use devices, and freedom to come and go during the show. Equipped with fidget toys, coloring pages, and soft surfaces, the room provided a quiet space both during the performance and during the Grand Foyer activities, for any overwhelmed guests needing a reprieve from the hustle and bustle. 

Back in the Grand Foyer, the clock struck midnight—or in this case, 11 a.m.—and royal trumpets signaled that the show was about to begin. As families took their seats with smiles on their faces, it was safe to say that HGO’s first foray into family-friendly mainstage programming was a success with kids and parents alike.  

Sahana, an operagoer whose company sponsors HGO dress rehearsals each season, was thrilled that her three children were finally getting the chance to experience their first opera. “You don’t normally get the opportunity to bring your whole family here like this,” she said. “I love the memories that we’re creating.” 

“It was exhilarating to see so many families at the Wortham for this performance,” said Khori Dastoor. “My own girls adored the show. Given the success of the day, I am thrilled to share that we have established a new Houston tradition! We’ll be announcing plans for HGO’s second annual Family Day in March.”  

Stay tuned!