Toledo Opera Guild
Your Way to Support Opera in Northwest Ohio
Since 1962, the Toledo Opera Guild has played an active role in supporting Toledo Opera's performances, education, and community outreach programs. The Guild has recently undergone an Intentional Transformation, renewing its mission and growing as an organization so it can better serve Toledo Opera and this community. We aim for all members to feel welcome, engaged, and inspired.
We're fortunate to have a professional opera company right here in Northwest Ohio as not every region has one. It's the Guild's mission to help ensure Toledo Opera continues to thrive for generations to come, and every fundraiser and outreach event we host is built around that goal: raising the funds and awareness that keep this wonderful program going strong.
Membership in the Toledo Opera Guild is open to everyone. You don't need any special opera background, just an interest in supporting the arts in our community. It's one of the easiest ways to show your support for Toledo Opera, and you control your own level of involvement, from attending an occasional event to taking on a leadership role. Guild members gather for meetings where we determine how we can best support Toledo Opera, so your voice helps shape what we do. Please join us!
Membership is available at three levels, so you can choose the option that best fits you. Visit the link below for full details.
OUR MISSION:
The Guild's mission is to promote opera awareness, education, company service and financial support for Toledo Opera.
The Guild respects and values unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives of all individuals and believes that a varied membership strengthens its ability to meet and exceed its goals and objectives.
GUILD LEADERSHIP TEAM:
President: Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer
Vice President: Maureen Brown
Treasurer: Sue Pokorney
Secretary: Peggy Richards
Appointed Positions
Membership Liaison: Diane Rusk
Event Coordinator: Jessica Guthrie
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aida Bakeless Bake Sale
Travel to the highlands of Ethiopia with the Toledo Opera Guild’s annual Bakeless Bake Sale, inspired by Toledo Opera’s fall 2026 production of Verdi’s masterpiece, Aida.
Tip the Operas
A social fundraising dining series, we host Tip the Opera events both for the public and exclusively for Guild members. If you're curious about the Guild, want a fun way to support Toledo Opera, or just want to learn more about what we do while having a great time, we'd love to have you join us.
Booooozy Brunch
Public
Halloween Brunch on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Axis Restaurant & Bar in the Delta Hotel UTMC Campus A
Join us for a festive Halloween brunch benefiting the Toledo Opera. Come in costume (optional), meet Guild members and fellow supporters, and help raise funds for the season ahead.
Questions? Email jessica@freebirdevents.com.
Opera-tuni-tea
Guild Members Only
Afternoon Proper Tea, Friday, November 20, 2026, at Clara J's Tea House
Toledo Opera Guild members gather for an elegant afternoon tea benefiting the Toledo Opera. Enjoy scrumptious delicacies and indulge in sparkling conversation and delightful surprises that make this tea a truly unforgettable celebration.
Toledo Opera Guild members, please RSVP at jessica@freebirdevents.com.
Toledo Opera Guild Luncheons
Gathering for a luncheon before a Toledo Opera performance is a cherished Toledo Opera Guild tradition, one that blends style, camaraderie, and a dash of theatrical magic. Each luncheon is built around a festive theme inspired by the upcoming opera, transforming the event into a lively, immersive pre-show celebration. Members and guests enjoy a beautifully catered lunch, a well-stocked cash bar, and—always a highlight—a special sneak‑peek performance from one of the opera’s featured singers. These gatherings feel both elegant and fun, offering a warm, spirited way to connect with fellow opera lovers while savoring an exclusive preview of the artistry soon to unfold on stage.
Aida Pre-Performance Luncheon
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Location: Toledo Zoo, Malawi Event Center, Indigo room
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $50
Celebrating the long‑awaited return of Aida to Toledo Opera after more than ten years, the Aida pre‑performance luncheon is set to be a standout moment of the season. This special event brings Guild members and opera supporters together for a themed luncheon inspired by the sweeping drama and grandeur of Verdi’s masterpiece.
Held at the Toledo Zoo, guests will savor a catered meal, enjoy a lively cash bar, and experience one of the Guild’s most beloved traditions: an exclusive sneak‑peek performance from a featured Aida singer, offering a thrilling taste of the music soon to take the stage. With proceeds supporting Toledo Opera’s productions and programming, this luncheon blends elegance, excitement, and community spirit into a uniquely memorable pre‑performance celebration at one of Toledo’s most iconic venues.
Interested in attending? Tickets available online. To request additional information, contact Jessica Guthrie at jessica@freebirdevents.com.
H.M.S. Pinafore Pre-Performance Luncheon
Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2027
Location: National Museum of the Great Lakes, The Great Lakes Community Education Center
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $50
Gather with the Guild for a lively and stylish pre‑performance luncheon celebrating Toledo Opera’s brand‑new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, returning to the Toledo stage for the first time in more than forty years. Held at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Community Education Center, this special event pairs nautical charm with Guild tradition.
Guests will enjoy a catered lunch, a festive cash bar, and the highlight of every Guild gathering: an exclusive sneak‑peek performance from one of the Pinafore cast members, offering a delightful first listen to the wit and whimsy soon to sail across the Valentine Theatre stage. With proceeds supporting Toledo Opera’s productions and programming, this luncheon blends atmosphere, artistry, and community spirit into a memorable kickoff for a long‑awaited operatic return.
Interested in attending? Tickets available online soon. To request additional information, contact Jessica Guthrie at jessica@freebirdevents.com.
PAST EVENTS
See what the Guild has accomplished and get a feel for what membership is like.
Ready to help ensure Toledo Opera continues to thrive in Northwest Ohio? Joining the Guild is an easy way to offer your support. Join the Toledo Opera Guild today!