Sunday, October 23, 2022 | Free and open to all

Community Open House

Overview

This event has finished.

Join us for a free, family friendly event at the War Memorial Opera House on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 9:30-3:30pm.

Program of Activities

In addition to the Opera’s 100th season, this year also marks the 90th anniversary of the War Memorial Opera House. In celebration of both anniversaries, San Francisco Opera opens the doors of its historic home at a free event on Sunday, October 23 to reveal some of the fun and magic that transpires inside this United States landmark.

All activities continuous throughout the day unless timings noted.

Musical Demonstrations
12:15pm & 3:15pm

This onstage 30-minute program will feature the Orchestra, Chorus, and Soloists, along with kid-friendly narration. Enter the auditorium from the Main Lobby, the Grand Tier, or the Dress Circle.

Stage Tours
9:30–11:15am & 1–2:45pm

Step onto the stage and go behind the scenes for stagecraft demos and displays, ending with a selfie onstage. Visit the check-in table at the south side of the Main Lobby early to reserve your tour spot (limited availability).

Onstage Photo Op
9:30–11:15am & 1–2:45pm

Skip the tour and zip onstage for a photo with an unbeatable view! Join the queue on the south side of the Main Lobby (limited availability).
Welcome Tables
Learn more about our Centennial season and family programming and be sure to get your free tote bag!

Scavenger Hunt Kick-Off & Prizes
Explore the Opera House through an interactive web-based scavenger hunt for all ages.

Theatrical Prop Crafting Station
Learn traditional stagecraft skills from members of our Props crew.

"From the Archives" Display (north side)
Travel through time with a rarely seen collection of artifacts from 100 years of SF Opera history.

Stage Tour Check-in (south side)
Come here to reserve a spot on the stage tour or join the queue for the onstage photo op. (Visit early for best availability!)
Costume Showcase (Box Lobby)
Experience up close the finest selections from our historic costume collection.

Center Box Photo Op
Snap a pic in the opulent interior of the Opera House. (Enter from the Box Lobby.)

"Opera in an Hour" Family Movie Screenings (north side)
Come and go as you please at these condensed, family-friendly opera screenings.

9:45am Cinderella
11am Magic Flute
12:45pm Barber of Seville
2pm Elixir of Love

Opera Gift Shop (south side)

Brass Fanfare (north side)
12:05pm & 3:05pm

Listen for the trumpet to announce the start of our onstage musical demonstrations.
How to Direct an Opera Scene (north side)
10am, 10:45am, 1:15pm & 2pm

Watch our stage directors in action as they bring all the drama of opera to life, featuring one of today's soloists and a few volunteer performers from the crowd!

Instrument Show & Tell (Loggia, enter south side)
10–11:30am & 1:15–2:45pm

Meet our world-class orchestra members and see their instruments up close.

Photo Backdrop (Loggia, enter south side)

Hair, Wig & Make-up Demos & Activities (south side)
Learn the skills that go into mesmerizing onstage transformations!
Conducting Lessons (Bar Lobby)
10:30am, 11am, 11:30am & 2:30pm

Learn the basics of musical beat patterns with Maestro William Long.

Theatrical Prop Crafting Station (north side)
Create your own stage prop for you to keep!

"Ask Me Anything" with General Director Matthew Shilvock (south side)
11am–12pm & 2–3pm

Your chance to ask about SF Opera past, present, and future!

Opera Building Blocks: Facts & Activities (south side)
What goes into a performance at SF Opera? Come find out and get a giveaway crown to celebrate your new knowledge.

Bring the whole family to experience the day’s family-oriented and kid-friendly activities, including musical performances from the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and soloists, backstage show-and-tell tours, theatrical make-up tutorials, and more! All located throughout the Opera House, one of the Bay Area’s historic community gathering landmarks, open for you to explore.

All details subject to change.

Bathrooms are located on each level, with the exception of the Main Lobby (street level).

A First Aid station and parent/baby room are located in the basement.

Coat/bag check is available on the north side of the Main Lobby. A designated stroller parking area is also located on the north side of the Main Lobby; please note we cannot ensure the safety of your items. Please keep valuables with you at all times.
As part of our rigorous safety protocols, masks are required for all guests over the age of two except when actively eating or driking in the Basement Cafe.

Breathe easy knowing that all ventilation systems in the War Memorial Opera House meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines..

For more details, please take note of San Francisco Opera’s Visitor Guidelines.
Please feel free to take as many photos as you like and share them with your friends on social media, tagging us @sfopera. However, please ask Opera personnel before taking their picture, and please refrain from recording any portion of the musical demonstation in the theatre.

Please note that photography and video may be taken for this event for archival and promotional purpose, and your attendance constitutes your consent to be photographed/filmed. If you do not wish to be photographed/filmed, please speak with a staff member.

Made Possible By

Community Open House is made possible, in part, by the Creative Edge Fund with major support from
Carol and Dixon Doll, Peter Fenton and Kate Greer, and Bob Ellis.