CofC Stages, CofC Opera and The Charleston Symphony proudly present
Die Fledermaus
by Johann Strauss II
| Director Peter Spearman |
Associate Director Saundra DeAthos-Meers |
Music Director Wojciech Milewski |
|
| Scenic Designer Jonathan Wentz |
Costume Designer Janine McCabe |
Lighting Designer Lauren Duffie |
Sound Designer Miles Boinest |
| Technical Director JD Stallings |
Costume Shop Manager Ellen Swick |
Stage Manager Bambi Barr |
Choreographer Kristin Alexander |
February 24-25, 2023
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street
Jump to: Program | Production Team | Acknowledgments | Director’s Note | Cast and Production Team Biographies
Cast
In order of Vocal Appearance (Saturday/Sunday)
| Julia Boughter/Lauren Funkhouser | Adele | Delaney Faile/Meleana Cabales | Prince Orlofsky |
| Chloe Henderson/Abigail Erin Oldstrom | Rosalinda | Adeleine Dibble | Ivan |
| Brett Hunter/Jonathan Gragg | Alfred | Xandra Smith | Waiter #1 |
| Seth Younglove/Vincent Bolchoz | Eisenstein | Colin Covington | Waiter #2 |
| Queen Hamilton II/Bea Lemaster | Dr. Blind | Noah Anderson | Frosch |
| Jimmy Cyganek/Devon Brunson | Frank | Drake Carney, Amber Dunton, Laila Dye-Sharpe, Emmalyn Gilbreth, Queen Hamilton II, Isaac Hill, Maralin Russell, Abby Weeks | Ensemble |
| Logan Smith/Zachary Butler | Falke | |
| Molly O’Connor/Jenna Bush | Ida |
Charleston Symphony Musicians
| Conductor
Wojciech Milewski |
Violin 1
Yuriy Bekker, Alexander Boissonnault, Karel Abo, Brian Allen, Karen Mendes |
Violin 2
Micah Gangwer,
|
Viola
Sadie Nichols, |
Oboe
Kelly Mozeik |
| Cello
Najette Abouelhadi, |
Clarinet
Charlie Messersmith |
Bass
Christian Hales |
Bassoon
Jordan Brokken |
Flute
Jessica Hull-Dambaugh |
| Horn
Brandon Nichols, |
Trumpet
Antonio Marti |
Harp
Andrea Mumm |
Timpani
Beth Albert |
Percussion
Ryan Leveille |
| Act I | Act II | Act III |
| No.1 Introduction (Alfred/Adele) | No.6 Introduction (Ensemble) | No.12 Entr’acte |
| No.2 Trio (Eisenstein, Rosalinda, Dr. Blind) | No.7 Aria (Prince Orlofsky) | No. 13 Melodrama |
| No.3 Duet (Falke, Eisenstein) | No.8 Ensemble and Couplet (Orlofksy, Falke, Adele, Eisenstein) | No. 14 Couplets (Adele, Ida, Frank) |
| No.4 Trio (Rosalinda, Eisenstein, Adele) | No.9 Watch Duet (Eisenstein, Rosalinda) | No. 15 (Rosalinda |
| No.5 Finale (Alfred, Rosalinda, Frank) | No.10 Czardas (Rosalinda) | |
| No.11 Finale (Full Ensemble) |
CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Opera Program Director: Saundra DeAthos-Meers
Opera Program Assistant Director: Amanda Castellone
Production Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Rehearsal Pianist: Lorna Barker
Assistant Director: Emma Piazza
Assistant Stage Manager: Emma Bennett
Dramaturg: Madeline Hansen
Scenic Design Advisor: Jonathan Wentz
Assistant Scenic Designer: Kelsey Beckett
Scenic Charge: Alexandria Foster
Scenic Artists: Kelsey Beckett, Ella Moore, Jonathan Wentz
Carpenters and Painters: Brandon Alston, Audrey Black, Lauren Evans and students of Stagecraft class
Properties Charge: Kelsey Beckett
Properties Room Manager: Riley Taylor
Scene Shop Staff (students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Arslan Baig, Bristol Barnes, Madison Berry, Cheyenne Comitz, Alexandria Foster, Isabella Gardner, Olivia Maness, Jacob Rye, Eli Salas and Aidan Wunderley
Assistant Costume Designers: Stef Amezcua Barrientos, Ashlyn Denham, Lily Lombardi
Make-up Designer and Artist: Stef Amezcua Barrientos
Hair and Wig Artist: Janine McCabe
Wig Styling & Ensemble Make-Up Design: Students of Advanced Makeup and Hair Design class
Sewing & Alterations: Molly Belle, Savannah Blake, Alyssa Guardino, Evy Massey, Eva Razzi, Lindsay Ward, Jenna Williamson and students of Intro to Costuming class
Wardrobe Crew: Camille Cabrera, Cam Gulledge, Brasia Jones, Robby Sewell
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Brandon Alston, Zoe Barber, Ashlyn Denham, Mattison Gaillard, Ava Woods
Assistant Lighting Designers: Abby Israel, Ngaa Magombedze, Chris Warzynski
Head Electricians: Bootsie Baldwin, Abby Israel
Electricians: Bristol Barnes, Madison Berry, Vincent Bolchoz, Julia Boughter,
Meleana Cabales, Lauren Funkhouser, Isabella Garner, Sydney Getter,
Queen Hamilton, Alex Jones, Riley Milligan, Hannah Moore, Elise Normand,
Molly O’Connor, Erin Oldstrom, Reed Reed, Jacob Rye, Chris Warzynski,
Aidan Wunderley, Seth Younglove
Light Board Programmer and Operator: Abby Israel
Follow Spot Coordinator: Chris Warzynski
Follow Spot Operators: : Sydney Getter, Riley Milligan, Reed Reed, Ally Thumpston
Electric Shop Staff
Electric Shop Staff (students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bootsie Baldwin, Abby Israel Alex Jones, Chris Warzynski
Sound Board Operator: Bambi Barr
Fly Rail Operators: Shane Hanley, Ben Hudd
Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: David Mandel, Jake Cisson, Kaylee Phillips, Chris Warzynski
Videography: Richard Almes, Unimedia Productions
Marketing/Social Media: Kaylee Phillips, Tippy Trombly, Jake Cisson
Office Assistant: Ngaa Magombedze
Box Office: George Street Box Office
Bethel United Methodist Church, Molly Belle, Savannah Blake, Edward Hart, School of the Arts Interim Dean Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein, Mark Swick, Sottile Theatre Staff
Thank you to our CofC Opera and CofC Stages Donors!
Presenting Sponsor
Tap and Jean Johnson
$1,000+
David M. Savard
Nancy Henderson
Michael & Susan Master
Karl & Charlene Bunch
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Ray & Linda Manning
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Deborah Potter
Julian Wiles, Jr. & Jenny Hane
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$500-$999
Ceili Hesselgrave
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Valerie Morris
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Susan Kattwinkel
Janine McCabe
Leslie Dyke
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Up to $499
Lauren Funkhouser
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Emma Simmons
Caroline Baker
Mary Beth Berry
Shelby North
Bari Perales
Jean Robinson
Claire Steffens
Amanda Castellone
Marian Greely
Robert Covington
Elena Vaouli
Andrew Whitehead
Thank you to all of our Department of Theatre and Dance donors!
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Anonymous (5)
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We need your help to support our students and our season in an effort to rebuild the funds that allow us to produce quality performances in a unique experiential learning environment. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences.
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Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
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ADVOCATE $750-999
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Matt & Gretchen McLaine
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Jonathan & Janine Wentz
STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master
DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice and Jay Messeroff
Stellar Stitches Fashion Show
Laura Turner
FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander, Stacey Alston, Rebecca Boone, Glenda Byars, Todd McNerney, Elena & Ted Mitchell, Sam Rhodes, Emma Simmons, Jillian & Michael Smallwood
PATRON up to $99
Caroline Baker, Mary Beth Berry, Shelby North, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens, Andrew Whitehead
Drink more water? Maybe!
Drink more champagne? Tempting!
Never trust a friend? Sheesh! Too dark!
What is Strauss trying to tell us? How does he want us to feel?
I have heard the argument that Die Fledermaus is an operetta without a message or theme. Perhaps the copious champagne obscures it, but I think there is at the very least a seed at the center of this show, and it is fun. Fun abounds. Our production celebrates the fun in this tale of soft revenge.
As the father of two young boys, I spend a lot of time engaging with children’s media, and I am struck at the similarities that I see between my kids’ favorite books and the world that Strauss has created. The characters are clear and uncomplicated. Mischief flourishes. The stakes are low. Forgiveness comes quickly. Of course, it is also loaded with enough (too much?) innuendo and double entendre to delight all audiences.
With a puerile spirit of fun, we invite you to escape with us, if only for a little while.
—Peter Spearman
Cast and Production Team Bios (In Alphabetical Order)
Noah Anderson (Frosch) [he/him] is making his opera debut as a senior double majoring in Theatre (Performance) and History. He has also been seen in Cabaret as Cliff Bradshaw, Two Gentlemen of Verona as Sir Eglamour, Grunt in Firebringer, the Messengers in The Bacchae and Lewis in Pippin. He would like to thank everyone who made this show possible, especially THE Dr. Peter Spearman for encouraging him to go outside his comfort zone and making his last performance at the college a memorable one.
Bambi Barr (Stage Manager) is a recent CofC graduate, majoring in Theatre Performance and Biology, that has worked on Les Contes d’Hoffmann and L’elisir d’amore as an assistant stage manager and served as stage manager for Charleston Opera Theatre’s Unshakeable. Bambi would like to thank Dr. DeAthos-Meers for taking her under her wing and allowing her to learn, grow and flourish! Thank you for letting me help your wonderful ideas come to life!
Stef Amezcua Barrientos (Assistant Costume Designer) is the lead for hair and makeup backstage. Stef is a senior Theatre major with a concentration in costume design and a minor in Arts Management. Previously she worked on After the Rain and Center Stage’s Firebringer.
Kelsey Beckett (Assistant Scenic Designer) is a junior at the college majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Scenic Design and an Arts management minor. Previously she served as assistant scenic designer for Firebringer and properties charge for Pippin. She would like to thank her mentor, Jonathan Wentz, and director, Dr. Spearman, for their support and help throughout this process.
Emma Bennett (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman Theatre Performance major, and with this being her first time serving as assistant stage manager she would like to thank Bambi for taking care of her during this new experience and everyone’s constant support. Emma was last seen in Center Stage’s 2023 Rocky Horror shadowcast and is so excited for her future involvement with the department here at the College!
Vincent Bolchoz (Eisenstein/Ensemble) is a transfer student at College of Charleston majoring in Music (Vocal Performance). Vincent spent several years in South Florida attending the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Professional Training Program and performing in multiple amateur and professional touring shows at the Maltz. He made his opera debut last year in the ensemble for Charleston Opera Theatre’s production of Don Giovanni followed by L’elisir d’amore. Other credits include the College of Charleston’s production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann as Spalanzani. This summer Vincent will be performing at the Berlin Opera Academy as Don Curzio/Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro.
Julia Boughter (Adele/Ensemble) is a freshman Vocal Performance major. She last sang with CofC opera in the scenes program, L’amour et la Mort. She would like to thank Dr. DeAthos-Meers for being a fantastic teacher and her family for their constant support and encouragement.
Devon Brunson (Frank/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his mainstage College of Charleston debut in Die Fledermaus. Devon is a freshman majoring in Music (Vocal Performance) and Finance. Recent credits include Les Miserables (Enjolras), The Phantom of the Opera (Phantom), Spongebob the Musical (Patrick), and Daniel and The Kings (Abednego).
Jenna Bush (Ida/Ensemble) is a sophomore majoring in Biology with a minor in Theatre. She has been recently seen in CofC’s production of Pippin (ensemble, Fastrada US), In Love and Warcraft (Kitty), and Center Stage’s Firebringer (Zazzalil). Other recent credits include: Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Our Town (Emily), and The Theory of Relativity (Caroline). She would like to thank Dr. Spearman for encouraging her to audition along with Dr. DeAthos, Wojciech, and the entire team for being so kind and welcoming!
Meleana Cabales (Orlofsky/Ensemble) is a senior in the Honors College majoring in Music (Vocal Performance) and minoring in Arts Management. Previous performances with CofC Opera include The Tales of Hoffmann (Nicklausse), Die Zauberflöte (Second Lady), and Le nozze di Figaro (Chorus).
Drake Carney (Ensemble) is a Sophomore majoring in Theatre (Performance + Musical Theatre) and minoring in both French & Japanese Studies. He was last seen in the CofC Stages production of Pippin as Pippin, and is a former member of CofC’s Broadway Ensemble. He would like to thank the creative team behind Die Fledermaus for making his first opera at CofC a great experience.
Jimmy Cyganek (Frank/Ensemble) is a junior in the Honors College double majoring in Vocal Performance and Computing in the Arts. He’s also a Baritone in the choir of the French Huguenot Church and in the Charleston Men’s Chorus, where he is a recipient of their season scholarship. Recent performances include College of Charleston Opera’s L’amour et la Mort, and Charleston Opera Theater’s L’elisir d’amore. He is looking forward to playing the Giant in CofC’s Children’s Opera production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Colin Covington (Ensemble/Server) is a freshman at the College of Charleston studying Vocal Performance. He is excited to be involved in his first Opera production. He would like to thank Peter Spearman for his energy and direction throughout this process as well as the entire cast for making his first opera a memorable experience.
Ashlyn Denham (Assistant Costume Designer) is a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design. Previously, she worked on After the Rain.
Addy Dibble (Ivan/Ensemble) is a sophomore and very excited to be a part of her second opera production at the College of Charleston. She would like to thank Dr. Deathos-Meers, Peter Spearman, and fellow cast and crew for making this production such a memorable experience!
Amber Dunton (Ensemble) is a freshman Theatre major (performance) with an arts management minor at the College of Charleston. She is also in the musical theatre certificate program. Previously, she was a playwright for the College’s mainstage short play festival The Pages Festival (Overturned).
Delaney Faile (Orlofsky/Ensemble) is a senior in the Honors College majoring in Arts Management with a minor in Theatre. Previous CofC credits include In Love and Warcraft (Ensemble), The Bacchae (Agave), Violet (Ensemble, Violet u/s), The Tales of Hoffman (Andres/Cochinelle), and The Cake (Jen). She would like to thank Dr. Deathos-Meers and Peter Spearman for their support and her fellow castmates for making her final show at the College a wonderful experience.
Lauren Funkhouser (Adele/Ensemble) is a junior majoring in music (vocal performance) and double minoring in French and German. Her previous performance experiences at CofC include The Tales of Hoffmann (Olympia) and The Magic Flute (Queen of the Night). Other performance experience outside of CofC include Charleston Opera Theater’s L’elisir d’amore (Adina cover/chorus), Berlin Opera Academy’s Die Zauberflöte (Papagena/Die Königin der Nacht cover), and Russian Opera Workshop’s Eugene Onegin (Tatyana Role Study). Lauren also attended Music Academy of the West as a studio artist in the summer of 2022.
Emmalyn Gilbreth (Ensemble) is a Freshman in the Honors College majoring in English and Music with a minor in Philosophy. Before performing in Die Fledermaus she was a part of the CofC Opera Scenes program, L’amour et la Mort. She would like to thank Professor Templeton and the faculty and students of the CofC Music School for their unwavering support and kindness throughout her entire first year of college.
Jonathan Gragg (Alfred/Ensemble) is a Senior at the College of Charleston studying Vocal Performance. Most recently with the college he has had the privilege of portraying the roles of Monostatos in The Magic Flute and Franz in The Tales of Hoffmann. Grateful for these opportunities, he has enjoyed all the more bringing to life the character of Alfred. He is ever-thankful to those who have shaped his vocal and artistic journey, including the wonderful Dr. Saundra Deathos-Meers and many more of the CofC Music Faculty and friends. He humbly appreciates the chance to share his passion for music on the stage. Prosit!
Christopher Hamilton II (Ensemble) is a sophomore at the College of Charleston. This is his first opera and would like to thank Peter Spearman and Wojciech Milewski along with all of the people contributing toward this CofC production for the great work they put into this memorable experience.
Queen Hamilton II (Dr. Blind/Ensemble) is a senior majoring in Music (Composition/Theory). Most recently she was seen in As I Was, Not As I Am (Laurel) by August Hakvaag and CofC Opera’s L’Amour et la Mort. Other credits range from acting to crew work to music directing. She would like to thank everyone who came to support her and watched her journey from a petrified, shy, and nervous mess to the person and performer she is now. Special shoutout to Todd McNerney, Dr. Lorna Barker, Dr. Saundra DeAthos-Meers, and her mom for helping her to develop the confidence she needed.
Chloe Henderson (Rosalinda/Ensemble) is a senior majoring in Music (Vocal Performance). Her previous credits include two shows with Charleston Opera Theatre: Don Giovanni (ensemble) and L’elisir d’amore (ensemble), and three shows at CofC: Le nozze di Figaro (chorus), The Magic Flute (spirit), and The Tales of Hoffman (Giulietta/ensemble). She would like to thank Dr. DeAthos-Meers for being the most wonderful voice teacher and she would also like to thank Dr. Spearman, Professor Milewski, the cast, and all her friends and family for being so encouraging and supportive. This will be her last show here at CofC and she is grateful to work with such an amazing and talented group of people!
Isaac Hill (Ensemble) is a sophomore music major studying cello and voice performance and composition. Recent performances include Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore with Charleston Opera Theatre, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 with the SC Bach Society, and the CofC Orchestra Fall Concert. He would like to thank Dr. DeAthos-Meers for her support and encouragement as he starts to perform on the opera stage.
Brett Hunter (Alfred/Ensemble) is a freshman at the College of Charleston majoring in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance. Die Fledermaus will serve as Brett’s first mainstage production with the College. Recent credits include Les Misérables (Marius Pontemercy), The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul de Changy), and Daniel and the Kings (Meshach). This upcoming summer Brett will perform Carmen (Chorus) at the Music Academy of the West, attending as a Studio Artist.
Abby Israel (Assistant Lighting Designer/Co-Head Electrician/Lighting Board Operator) is a sophomore at the College majoring in Theatre (scenic/lighting design). This is her sixth production with the college.
Bea Lemaster (Dr.Blind/Ensemble) is a Senior at the college majoring in Theatre. Bea is very active in the theatre department and is the President and Artistic Director of the student theatre organization Center Stage. Bea also works as a Teaching Artist with PURE Theatre, working to bring Theatre to public schools in Charleston that might not have access to arts programs otherwise. They were last seen in Men on Boats, directed by Sharon Graci, and are excited for you to see them as Dr. Blind/Ensemble in Die Fledermaus! Remember: Justice is Blind!
Lily Lombardi (Assistant Costume Designer) is a senior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design. Previously, worked on After the Rain.
Ngaa Magombedze (Assistant Lighting Research Designer) was previously seen in Pippin as Leading Player and as an assistant director on The Late Wedding. She is thrilled to have been mentored on this production by Lauren Duffie and Dr. Peter Spearman. This experience has been invaluable and allowed her design skills to flourish!
Molly O’Connor (Ida/Ensemble) is a senior at the College of Charleston in their final semester as a Music Major with a concentration in Voice. She has been in multiple CofC Opera productions including Le Nozze di Figaro (ensemble), The Magic Flute (spirit), and The Tales of Hoffmann (Nathanael). Molly has also been in Scenes performances for CofC Opera called Live in the Sottile Theatre, Back to the New Normal, What If?, and L’amour et la Mort. She has also performed Children’s operas The Three Little Pigs, The Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red’s Most Unusual Day, and this semester’s Jack and the Beanstalk, for elementary school kids all over the Charleston area. Molly has also been in the ensemble for Charleston Opera Theater in Grande Serenata, Don Giovanni, Serenata Italiana, and Elixir of Love. They would like to thank the whole Die Fledermaus team, CSO, and cast! You have all made this experience so memorable! To my parents and family who have always believed in me, I love you all so much, you have helped me make this dream possible!
Abigail Erin Oldstrom (Rosalinda/Ensemble) is a second year Artist in Residence with CofC Opera. She graduated from the College of Charleston in 2022 with a BA in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance. Past works performed with CofC Opera include Gianni Schicchi (Lauretta), Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna), Die Zauberflöte (First Lady), and The Tales of Hoffmann (Antonia). She made her professional debut with Charleston Opera Theater’s Don Giovanni (Zerlina) in 2022, and will be taking part in Charleston Opera Theater’s upcoming performance of Master Class by Terrance McNally later this spring.
Logan Smith (Dr. Falke/Ensemble) Is a 5th year CofC student returning to the stage for his final performance with CofC Opera. Debuting as Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, following with Coppelius and Dappertutto in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann. He has had the great opportunity to cover both the Commendatore and Dr. Dulcamara in COTs productions of Don Giovanni and L’elisir D’amore. He would like to thank David Templeton for helping mold him into the musician he is today, along with the faculty and friends for an unforgettable experience.
Xandra Smith (Ensemble) is a freshman music major at the college with a concentration in vocal performance and a minor in linguistics. This is her first full scale opera and she would like to thank Dr. DeAthos-Meers for her support and the rest of the CofC Opera community for being such a big part of her college career thus far.
Chris Warzynski (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a Junior Theatre Major at the College with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic/Lighting. Chris was last seen at the College in CofC Stages’ The Pages Festival, In Love and Warcraft (Ryan), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Launce), and Center Stage’s Firebringer (Molag). During the summer, Chris traveled abroad in Japan and created a new interpretation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with the Yokohama Theatre Group. Back home, their play A Conversation was read during Piccolo Spoleto’s Under The Lights event. Chris is currently working on a new play and was the Lighting Designer for CofC Stages’ production of Pippin. Chris would like to thank their grandparents for not evicting them.
Abby Weeks (Ensemble) is a sophomore at the College of Charleston majoring in Arts Management with a minor in Theatre. She is thankful to be given the opportunity to be a part of her first Opera production. She would like to thank the creative team that brought Die Fledermaus to life, making her experience amusing and unique.
Seth Younglove (Eisenstein/Ensemble) is a second year Artist in Residence with CofC Opera. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2022 with a BA in both Music (Vocal Performance) and Theatre (Performance). Past works he has performed with CofC Opera include Gianni Schicchi (Marco), Die Zauberflöte (Tamino), and The Tales of Hoffmann (Hoffmann); along with Urinetown (Cladwell) with CofC Theatre and Dance. Some outside performances include Charleston Opera Theater’s Don Giovanni (Ensemble) and L’elisir d’amore (Ensemble).
Land Acknowledgement: We would like to acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians).
We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations.
We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina.
On this campus and in this space, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.