Touchstone Award Winner - Radio Daily 2024 Toledo Opera and WGTE Public Media present "Opera Out of the Box," a monthly podcast/broadcast series that unpacks opera piece by piece. "Opera Out of the Box" aims to demystify the genre of opera, as well as to provide information about Toledo Opera’s mainstage productions, educational programs, community engagement programs, Resident Artist program, and much more. Hosted by WGTE Public Media’s Radio Station Manager, Brad Cresswell, each episode features experts in both Toledo Opera and opera overall.
How will the looming federal funding cuts affect (or have affected) local arts & humanities organizations? Listen to a discussion on that topic from Toledo Opera's Leah Whitaker, Arts Commission CEO Marc Folk, and Executive Director of Ohio Humanities Rebecca Asmo. More about how you can take action right now at www.protectmypublicmedia.org
28 May 2025
In Review
James Norman, Kevin Bylsma, and Leah Whitaker review Toledo Opera's last season, discussing lessons learned and key takeaways in this retrospective episode.
26 Mar 2025
Art Goes to War
We have a thoughtful and detailed discussion of how war affects art, and vice-versa. Joining the conversation is Dr. Adam M. Levine, Director of the Toledo Museum of Art; Toledo Opera's General Director James Norman, and Toledo Opera's Development Officer Leah Whitaker.
10 Feb 2025
Roots and Routes
As we continue our deep dive into WWII and its harsh reality, we have a serious discussion with two women who lived through it: Mary Kamidoi is an activist and long-time employee of Ford Motor Company who lives in Detroit. At age 11, Mary was sent with her family to a Japanese Internment Camp.We also hear from Keiko Hahn, a Japanese-born "War Bride," who moved to Lima, Ohio, with her American husband since 1952. Keiko is the subject of the documentary "War Brides," which was directed by her nephew (we also hear from Matthew Neeley, President of the Lima Sister Cities Association, which facilitated the documentary). Joining in the discussion is Toledo Opera's Leah Whitaker.
29 Jan 2025
MacArthur's Redemption
In preparation for Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific at Toledo Opera, we continue our series of discussions about WWII and the Pacific Theater in particular. Joining us for this episode is Dr. Peter Mansoor, an esteemed military historian from The Ohio State University and the author of the forthcoming book Redemption, which traces the arc of General Douglas MacArthur's leadership during the Campaign for the Philippines.
18 Dec 2024
Bob Masters
Toledo Opera's Leah Whitaker and WGTE's Brad Cresswell sit down with WWII veteran Bob Masters to uncover the remarkable stories of his wartime experiences and encounters with notable figures.
14 Oct 2024
Tumultuous Times
In advance of the opening of Toledo Opera's production of Tosca, we examine the ups and downs of the 19th century — the time in which the opera takes place. Joining the discussion are three historians: Barry Jackisch from The University of Toledo; Doug Forsyth from Bowling Green State University, and Alice Conklin from Ohio State University. We're also joined by Leah Whitaker, Toledo Opera's Development Officer (and former Seminarian).
14 Oct 2024
Shabby Little Shocker
We round out our trilogy of Tosca-themed podcasts with a discussion on how Puccini's opera was received, and how it affected the genre as a whole. Using musicologist and critic Joseph Kerman's characterization of Tosca as a "Shabby Little Shocker" as a starting point, we focus on the music of Tosca and put it into historical context. Joining us are Dr. Eftychia "Effie" Papanikolaou, a musicologist and professor at Bowling Green State University; Dr. Douglas Forsyth, a historian also on faculty at BGSU, and musicologist (and Puccini expert) Dr. Jane Sylvester, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
25 Sept 2024
Viva la Diva!
As Toledo Opera's production of Puccini's Tosca fast approaches, we lay out the history of the "diva" character — and explore the ins-and-outs of some operatic divas (including Toledo Opera's own diva-within-a-diva, Tosca). Our guests for this episode are Artistic Administrator Kevin Bylsma, BGSU professor and musicologist Eftychia Papanikolaou, and our own Tosca, singer Lindsay Anderson.
28 Aug 2024
Patrons and Trustees
Today's topic revolves around the necessity of Opera in our community and the importance of supporting it. We're joined by three distinguished patrons of the opera: Joel Gorski (current board president), Trina Secor (current trustee), and Ann Sanford (a former trustee and current donor).
26 Jun 2024
Opera 101
What's your "Opera 101"? Join us for a backstage view of selecting operas and singers, from Toledo Opera's Artistic Director Kevin Bylsma and Marketing Director Rachael Cammern. We also get fresh perspectives from Community Engagement Advisory Committee Member Raina Dawson, and our own WGTE intern Carolyn Anderson (who also happens to be a soprano). And last but not least test your opera I.Q. with not one, not two, but three "Opera Quizzes."
22 May 2024
Resident Artists
Before they leave for other pastures, Toledo Opera's Resident Artists (Sara Mortensen; Imara Miles, and Steven Naylor) join us for a look at what they've learned and how they've grown. Also, we hear their plans for the future, and General Director James Norman weighs in on what a career in opera looks like today. And of course, we throw caution to the wind with our Old School Opera Nickname Quiz!
24 Apr 2024
Community Engagement
Many businesses pay lip service to the term "Community Engagement," but Toledo Opera has gone above and beyond to reach out to the local public, and to show a direct connection between opera and their daily lives. Joining us for this discussion are Leah Whitaker, development officer for Toledo Opera; Ebone Waweru, a part of the Toledo Opera family as a teaching artist with "An Opera Is a Story" and a member of the Community Engagement Advisory Committee, and Ron Wells, Jr., who is Executive Assistant to Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken by day and Toledo Opera mainstay by night.
19 Mar 2024
Ragtime
For this episode we dig deep into the multicultural economic disparities of the Gilded Age as portrayed in the musical Ragtime. Joining us to deconstruct Toledo Opera's upcoming production is the show's director, James Norman; choreographer Domonique Glover, and cast member Raquel Suarez Groen, who plays the part of Mother.
14 Feb 2024
Romeo and Juliet
Learn all about Toledo Opera's original production of Romeo and Juliet from our team, including one of the show's stars, Sidney Outlaw (who plays the role of Mercutio in the opera). We also have our customary three-part quiz — which explores how Shakespeare and his star-crossed lovers have made their way into opera (and pop culture).
17 Jan 2024
Education
Our inaugural episode provides insight into Toledo Opera’s suite of low-cost and free youth educational programs: An Opera Is a Story (preschool), Opera On Wheels (kindergarten – grade 6), and Student Night at the Opera (middle school – college students). Plus, our panelists take on not one — but three quizzes!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,812,748
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
5
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
60
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