OFFSTAGE
Offstage is a series of casual, free community events related to MN Opera’s MainStage presentations. Join us!
OFFSTAGE: La Bohème
April 10 – 6:30pm
For the last Offstage event of the 2023-2024 season, soprano Symone Harcum joins VP, Impact, Darius Gillard for a discussion about hustle and struggle culture as it pertains to the arts. Much like the artists depicted in Puccini’s La bohème, artists today must often endure hardships to succeed in the arts industry. Darius will lead a conversation about what it takes to cultivate a successful career in the arts and the impact the current state of the economy has on the lives and livelihoods of artists. The evening will feature musical excerpts from La bohème.
OFFSTAGE: Double Bill
March 6 – 6:30pm
Get ready for Trouble in Tahiti and Service Provider by learning more about the relationship between the roles of composer and conductor with a special Offstage event at MetroNOME Brewery, hosted by MN Opera VP of Impact Darius Gillard. He’ll be joined by Mario Antonio Marra, MN Opera Head of Music, and Jocelyn Hagen, composer of The Song Poet, to speak on the concepts and tasks of each role and how they intersect. The conversation will explore how the two disciplines come together in the production of some of our favorite operatic and theatrical works.
Offstage: The Elixir of Love
Access and Civic Engagement presents Elixirs, a virtual discussion about wellness, weight loss, and fatphobia in opera. For this event, VP, Impact Darius Gillard is joined by MN Opera Principal Coach/Chorus Master Celeste Marie Johnson, Registered Dietician Nicole Wavra and Soprano/Voice Professor Lori Hicks.
OFFSTAGE: Cruzar la Cara de le Luna
On October 25th 2023, a panel of community leaders discussed “The Risks vs. The Rewards of the Latinx Immigrant Journey.”
Panelists included:
Katya Zapeda, Legislative & Policy Director | Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs
Xavier Tavera Castro, Photographer, Activist, and Professor | Carleton College
Mirdalys Tweeton, Executive Director | Centro Tyrone Guzman