Watch 2021 Bronzeville Boheme for Schools
Have you heard of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood? In the 40s and 50s, this vibrant and financially self-sustaining neighborhood (the sixth ward) was primarily occupied by African Americans, who migrated North for employment. These families and businesses worked hard to support themselves and the community during the era of Jim Crow laws and redlining. Bronzeville provided everything they needed for a fresh start, including gainful employment, a home, a bank where they could safely keep their money, church, parks, markets, schools, and entertainment - a city within the city. Our stage director, Sheri Williams Pannell, grew up in Bronzeville and really brings it to life as the setting for this bromance.
We distilled two hours of the most beloved Puccini classic into a half hour story for younger audiences. This tragic story of Rodolpho and his love Mimi explores themes of friendship, love, poverty, artistic expression, and loss. This opera is best known for gorgeous melody, humor, and the lifecycle of love.
Click here for the Boheme school tour guide.
Sung in Italian, narrated in English. 30 minutes.
Bronzeville & Behind the Scenes
Creating La Boheme: Behind the Scenes
Sheri Williams Pannell Discusses Bronzeville
PHOTO GALLERY
Meet the Creative Team
Building an opera takes unbelievably talented people. Click here to hear what the power of music and story can do for kids thanks to them, and how we go from an idea to a production.
Meet the Cast
Just because we aren’t in the same room doesn’t mean you can’t get to know our 2020-21 Baumgartner Studio Artists. Click here for introductions from Emily, Taylor-Alexis, Nathaniel, and Steve. Janna makes an appearance too!
Here are our school show sponsors:
Major Support for the Bronzeville La Boheme School Tour is provided by:
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation--Grace G. Horn Fund
With generous contributions from:
The Bamberger Family Education Fund
Emory T. Clark Family Charitable Foundation
Marjorie L. Christiansen Foundation
Gardner Foundation
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc
The Maroti Family Education Fund
Charles D. Ortgiesen Foundation
Pieper Electric, Inc. / Ideal Mechanical
Supporters of Opera Singers
Weyco Group Charitable Trust
The Women’s Club of Wisconsin Foundation
This season's school tour is also made possible by the many generous donors to the 2020 Diva Musa Gala.
With additional support from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the generosity of the Milwaukee Arts Board.
