In respect the first I Dream performances in Charlotte, North Carolina:
More than 7,500 adults were engaged in Community Dialogues centered around The Dr. King Leadership Principles;
The 5 public performances sold at 94%; with 40% of the audience self-identifying as being new to Opera Carolina; and 42% self-identifying as being ethnically diverse.
The 2018 Opera Carolina performances of I Dream achieved the broadest measured audience age and race demographic in Opera Carolina’s production history.
A Sample of Charlotte Audience Feedback
In order to empirically assess the extent of “inspirational” community impact and transformation of I Dream, Opera Carolina distributed questionnaires by email to audience members attending each of the five 2018 performances of I Dream, and compiled survey data and comments from the individual responses received. Opera Carolina noted the following:
75.77% rated I Dream as “outstanding”;
70.70% said I Dream provided historical context they were not aware of before;
92.68% said I Dream accurately represented Dr. King and his legacy;
79.94% said they were inspired to learn more about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement after seeing I Dream;
86.59% said I Dream inspired them to think about what action they can personally take to build on Dr. King’s legacy;
81.88% said I Dream inspired them to attend an I Dream dialogue following their opera experience.
Toledo Community support for I Dream resulted in sold-out shows and attendance with the most demographically diverse attendees Toledo Opera had ever seen in its 59-year history and Toledo Opera’s highest audience attendance.