UCO's Jazz Lab to Bring 'Little Red Riding Hood' Opera to Edmond Youth

The free children's opera production aims to introduce young audiences to classical music in an engaging way.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:38pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark, jagged geometric shapes in red and white, conceptually representing the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.The UCO Jazz Lab's free children's opera production of 'Little Red Riding Hood' aims to introduce young audiences to classical music in an engaging, interactive way.Edmond Today

The University of Central Oklahoma's Jazz Lab will host free performances of the one-act opera 'Little Red Riding Hood' on April 18, featuring two separate casts of student performers. The production, which is tailored for children ages 7-12, incorporates interactive elements and a custom set design to make opera more accessible and entertaining for young audiences.

Why it matters

The UCO children's opera program, which has run for 16 years, aims to expose young people in the Edmond community to classical music and the art form of opera, which many children may not have the opportunity to experience otherwise. By making the performances free and incorporating engaging, hands-on elements, the program hopes to build long-term appreciation for the arts.

The details

The 50-minute 'Little Red Riding Hood' opera, composed by Seymour Barab in 1962, features five characters played by four performers, with two alternating casts. The production incorporates interactive moments, such as children being given speckled Easter eggs to 'pick' when Little Red Riding Hood comes into the audience. The set design, created by a graduate art student, features one side depicting the interior of Little Red and Grandma's house and the other a forest. For many of the student performers, this is their first time on stage in an opera, providing valuable training in storytelling, acting, and connecting with an audience, especially the unique skills required for performing for children.

  • The performances will take place on April 18, with a cast at 11 a.m. and a different cast at 1 p.m.
  • Additional performances will be held at the Edmond Public Library on April 16 at 6 p.m., as well as at other community sites including El Sistema on campus, a general recital, and a local assisted living home.

The players

University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab

The performance venue hosting the free children's opera production of 'Little Red Riding Hood'.

Elliot Hale

A student performer playing the role of Little Red Riding Hood in one of the casts.

Cindy Liu

A student performer playing the role of Little Red Riding Hood in one of the casts.

Demarcus Dawson

A student performer playing the role of the Wolf in one of the casts.

Ayden Hartel

A student performer playing the role of the Wolf in one of the casts.

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What they’re saying

“It's allowed us to be a lot more goofy with our character choices. When you're performing for children, there's no such thing as too much.”

— Brynn Ellis, Student performer playing the Mother and Woodsman roles

“For me, part of our charge as a public institution is not just to serve our student body but to serve our community in positive, impactful ways.”

— Kevin Gwinn, Director of the production

What’s next

The University of Central Oklahoma's Jazz Lab will continue its children's opera program, with plans for additional performances of 'Little Red Riding Hood' and other productions at community sites throughout the Edmond area.

The takeaway

The UCO children's opera program demonstrates how universities can use their resources and student talent to make classical music and opera more accessible and engaging for young audiences, helping to build long-term appreciation for the arts in the local community.