tonight is the premiere of my first ever opera ‘mad scramble for crumbs’ directed by the visionary
@jen.pitt , music directed by collaborative genius
@glooooriayin , with pianist extraordinaire
@parkerkonkle , commissioned by
@opera.saratoga ✨
Synopsis:
Luna (she/they) is an artist from Brooklyn who attended the most prestigious schools for music. Early in their studies Luna gave up her name and became “Leslie” in an attempt to Americanize and obscure her South American Indigenous roots. They struggle now to feel connected with anyone or anything around them, especially after graduating. Invitations to make music are scarce and even when they do arrive she can barely sing in public.
Her recent dreams however are another matter completely. She’s found herself able to sing wordless melodies joyfully and will sometimes hear, faraway, a chorus joining them.
Tonight, however, the chorus moves closer and encircles Luna singing their true name and revealing themselves to be ancestors. Their ancestors invite Luna to remember herself, triggering a series of memories from Luna’s childhood. Through a series of sonic rituals with her fellow dreamers and ancestors Luna reconnects with their sense of voice and self. In opening this space to invite in her past, Luna ensures they can continue on into the future.
Featuring English and Quichua alongside an improvisational creative process, ‘mad scramble for crumbs’ creates a unique space for contemplating the role of self-acceptance and cultural reclamation in diaspora communities struggling to create futures within white-dominated structures.
Cast:
Luna (she/they) -
@nicoletta.berry (soprano)
Ancestor 1 -
@mhhundley (soprano)
Ancestor 2 -
@kateraquelmorton (mezzo-soprano)
Ancestor 3 -
@mezzocatmom (mezzo-soprano)
Ancestor 4 -
@kyledunnbaritone (baritone)
Lighting designer -
@gabiwith1i
Sound designer -
@patrick_t_middlebrook
Stage manager -
@itzel_paolaaa
Special thanks to
@marybdirects for inviting me to devise this new opera in only six weeks ❤️
