Stories that transport audiences from 1920s Harlem to a modern-day case before the Supreme Court are all part of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ New Works Collective premiering this week.
Three all-new 20-minute works from multi-disciplinary BIPOC artists will debut back-to-back March 16 to 18 at COCA.
The New Works Collective is a three-year commissioning cycle that pushes the boundaries of opera by combining music and storytelling in powerful new ways. Three multi-genre teams were selected out of more than 130 submissions received last winter to create new operas with Opera Theatre. A panel of local artists, advocates and community leaders reviews the submissions and annually selects three projects for development.
The suite of works to be performed include:
“Cook Shack” by Del’Shawn Taylor and Samiya Bashir Dayo struggles with self-confidence…until a magical visit from three Black female inventors of the past fires her imagination and teaches her to embrace her own superpower.
“Slanted” by Simon Tam and Joe X. Jiang An Asian-American dance rock band goes to the Supreme Court to fight for their rights. No obstacle is too difficult to conquer…as long as you have a little heart and a lot of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Madison Lodge” by Tre’von Griffith Step into the exuberant world of the Harlem Renaissance. As X is introduced to drag ball culture, they find a community where they can celebrate their authentic self.
The works will be performed under the direction of Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, who most recently conducted “The Factotum” at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Click here for tickets and more information.
