Summer Season Kick Off
A pre-season peek behind the scenes
Curtain Raisers and above are invited.
Registration opens mid-April.
Event takes place in May.
Wolf Trap Foundation invites members at the Curtain Raiser level and higher to the Summer Season Kick-Off at Wolf Trap National Park. This open house features self-guided backstage tours, where Wolf Trap Foundation and National Park staff will answer your questions and share insider stories. Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO Arvind Manocha will give exclusive insight into the summer season.
This event marks the beginning of the season at Wolf Trap and has become a beloved tradition for many members.
“I think everyone should attend at least once," says Wolf Trap member Carol Montgomery. "I think they would be surprised by how much goes on behind the scenes at Wolf Trap and how many performers really look forward to performing at Wolf Trap. Wolf Trap is one of a kind!”
A behind-the-scenes look
The Summer Season Kick-Off and Backstage Tour offers members a unique, behind-the-scenes opportunity to see how the music comes to life on the Filene Center stage. Carol Montgomery says, “We never considered what went on behind the scenes or what happened before the shows opened. When we attended the Backstage Tour for the first time, we toured the Green Room, the large number of dressing rooms, learned how the lighting worked, and heard stories about some of the artists.”
It’s all about the details! Wolf Trap members Jonathan and Gayle Kosarin shared that not only do you get to peek backstage, but one of their favorite tours “included interesting stories about each area—such as the scenery the Bolshoi Ballet brought with them… the many costume changes of some performers, and interesting background to the Green Room.”
The highlight for the Kosarins is the opportunity to stand on the stage where the magic happens. Gayle Kosarin shares one of her favorite memories, “Sunset was approaching, and I could just imagine all the seats full and the lawn full of spectators all the way up to the top. It was breathtaking... Imagining the entire crowd applauding gave a small glimpse into the life of a performer.” Her advice is for you to do the same, and “from everywhere on the stage, don’t forget to look up!”
There’s always something new in store!
Whether you attended years ago or this will be your first visit backstage, there’s always something new to discover. One Wolf Trap member says she returns year after year because she loves to hear updates from Wolf Trap and the National Park Service staff, including President and CEO Arvind Manocha. She says, “There are always new things going on, and it gives the attendees a glimpse of all the moving parts at Wolf Trap—from how the performers get booked, to how the National Park Service works, and how the stage runs like clockwork.”
“Learning more about Wolf Trap each year has fostered a special relationship with Wolf Trap. When I attend shows, I have a much better respect and appreciation for Wolf Trap and all that it takes to provide culture and entertainment to the public at this beautiful National Park.”
The Summer Season Kick-Off is also a great way to introduce new friends to Wolf Trap! Whether you bring them as guests to experience it for themselves or share the Wolf Trap trivia you learned while attending a show together this summer, everyone loves a good behind-the-scenes story.
We hope that you will join us for, as the Kosarins put it, "the chance to shake off the cold and dreary winter and go to a place that represents to us the fun of summer.”