One educational initiative that got a lot of attention back in 1977 was a partnership with Magnolia’s Briarcliff Elementary School, where the “Don’t Think We’re Corny Company” put on an original 35-minute show called Fables ’77. Based on several of Aesop’s fables, the show was written and performed by grade-schoolers, with music by two Queen Anne high school students, Paul Hansen and Jill Gormley. JoAnn Menashe, then Seattle Opera’s education coordinator, masterminded the program, with help from Bruce Taylor, the Opera’s stage manager. Auditions were held for actors, writers, and production staff, all of whom did their part with so much zest that one teacher said of the dress rehearsal, “I enjoyed this more than most high-school musicals.”