It sounds like part of a blockbuster movie franchise, but it’s simply a reflection after working on three different operas in as many cities in as many weeks. While I am always aware that this is the life I’ve been working toward forever, and that five-years-ago me would give her eye teeth to be in this professional position, I don’t recommend a schedule this dense as a constant way of life. It is…a lot.  I’ve been home since Friday, and my just-about-to-turn-45-years-old body is still recovering from around-the-clock rehearsals and rewrites (and complimentary hotel breakfast sandwiches). This tweet of mine from mid-journey, on the right here, sums it up pretty well:

But do I regret it? Absolutely not. Here’s where I was and what I did:

Welcome to the Madness continued with Opera Steamboat: Steamboat Springs, CO

First, I went back to Steamboat Springs for a workshop of Welcome to the Madness with Leanna Kirchoff. It was the first time we’d gotten to hear any of this audacious work-in-progress out loud courtesy of the company’s Young Artists. It was extremely helpful in figuring out next writing steps and planning for the eventual premiere of the piece. Best of all, we got to revisit the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp, the inspiration and setting for this site-specific operatic dream ballet. During our previous visit, P-M’s Executive Director, Toni Quick, told me, “This is a place that shifts people.” Indeed, that trip through the physical manifestation of Portia’s and Charlotte’s imaginations cemented my decision to quit my day job and commit my whole self to my creative work once and for all, regardless of the attendant risks. When faced with tough decisions, I remember the magic of these campgrounds and ask myself, “What Would Portia Mansfield Do?” And you know what? She is always right.

Here are some pictures from that week. The reading took place at a middle school which has, of all things, a rock climbing wall in the lobby!

Lesson Plan Live at the Caramoor Festival with On Site Opera, Katonah, NY

After several cold winter weeks rehearsing on Zoom for the online premiere of Lesson Plan, I finally got to spend time in person with the cast and production team for the new live version, retooled for a giant audience at the majestic Caramoor Festival. If I had a bucket list, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be on it. As I have said, it was not on my Career Bingo Card, but only because I thought such an experience would never be available to a Cool-Adjacent Medium Nobody like me. Arriving at the tech rehearsal and staring out at the seemingly endless rows of seats under that tent amid the lush greenery of the Caramoor campus, I cried and told myself that if I’m hit by a bus or excommunicated or whatever dire fate may meet me tomorrow, this day would be more than enough. And what a huge relief to hear an in-person audience laughing at the jokes and singing along with the interactive bits in real time! I was terrified that they might not, but I should have known that Stephanie Blythe and Laquita Mitchell were not about to let an audience sit stone-faced for a second.

Below are some beautiful photos by Gabe Palacio, and you can read a wonderfully positive review of the performance here.

 Sketchbook for Ollie workshop with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO

Between turning in a draft of my score on the 12th and landing in Kansas City on the 24th, I couldn’t even recall most of what I had written in this new children’s opera. Thank goodness the LOKC Resident Artists and their fearless leader, Neal Long, brought it all to life with such care and precision. After several days of rehearsal and rewrites (re-formatting an entire opera score [my first to use a Vocoder, pictured below—welcome to the previous century, RP!] every night in prep for the following day is no walk in the park, friends, but it’s still nice work if you can get it) we presented a reading to educators interested in bringing the opera to their elementary schools (in, by the way, one of the most gorgeous rehearsal spaces in which I have ever had the privilege to squat!) This assignment was and continues to be a huge creative challenge, but I’d say we’re on our way to something pretty dang exciting. Below are some candids from rehearsal as well as renderings of Stephen C. Kemp’s beautiful set design. Contact LOKC and add your school or youth organization to their Sketchbook fall tour!

More Questions Than Corn Nuts

My friend and collaborator Evan Mack recently introduced me to the concept of “feedforward”: while feedback suggests people directing their opinions at you from on high, feedforward suggests a more collaborative, mutually constructive approach toward a stronger result. I like this idea a lot. On this subject, I cannot recommend Sarah Ruhl’s 100 Essays I Don’t Have Time to Write highly enough. I am finding it very replenishing to my artistic spirit.

This is more than enough to blab about for now, but there are many other things in the hopper for this season and next, so keep your eyes peeled as grapes.

More anon,

RP