Applications are now open for Spotlight on Opera's 2020 season, our fourteenth summer and third as a program of the Hurley School of Music.

Program dates: 

June 21 - July 27, 2020

Audition dates:

  • Texoma NATS Summer Program Auditions in Irving, TX: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
  • Southeastern NATS Summer Program Auditions in Statesboro, GA: Thursday, November 21, 2019
  • Austin, TX: Saturday, December 7, 2019
  • Shreveport, LA: Saturday, December 14, 2019

Video auditions accepted through May 1, 2020

Season: Don Giovanni, The Daughter of the Regiment, Petunia, Il trovatore (gala concert), Spotlight Cabaret, and several concerts.

Scholarships: Four full scholarships are available to current, incoming, and immediate graduates of Centenary College of Louisiana. 

Download Program Details 

Apply Now for the 2020 season

View photos from Spotlight on Opera previous seasons

 

 

Past Events

2019


Welcome Concert
Sunday June 23, 7 – 9 p.m.

Anderson Auditorium
FREE and open to the public
Reception to follow

Spotlight's distinguished faculty sings their welcome to the 2019 cast with arias, Broadway tunes, and more. Featuring: Gale Odom and Elizabeth Herlitz Cortés, sopranos; Sarah Stankiewiecz Dailey, mezzo-soprano; Cindy Sadler, contralto; Nicholas Simpson, tenor; Bruce Cain and Adam Philley, baritones. There are always a few surprises!

 

ARIA EXTRAVAGANZA
Saturday, June 29, 7 -10 p.m

Anderson Auditorium
FREE and open to the public
Reception to follow

“Death by Aria” is a tradition in many a summer opera program. Spotlight's talented 2019 cast introduces themselves to Shreveport with a fun and informal showcasing each singer in a single "party piece" aria. Join us afterwards for a reception in the lobby and get to know our young artists!

 

THE BREMEN TOWN MUSICIANS
Monday, July 8, 10 a.m. at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

Thursday, July 11, 10 a.m. at the Norton Gallery

Friday, July 19, 11 a.m. at the Shreve Memorial Library, Broadmoor Branch

Additional Dates and Locations TBA
FREE

A pastiche by John Davies
Directed by Bruce Cain
Musical direction and collaborative piano by Adam Philley

Spotlight’s annual touring children’s opera with music by J. Offenbach, G. Rossini, G. Donizetti, A. Sullivan and G. Verdi,  will appear at various locations around Shreveport. If you would like a performance for your organization, please contact Sarah Stankiewieckz Dailey at stankis@hsu.edu.

Four outcasts --- Eddie Pensier, a rooster with operatic aspirations who woke the farmer once too many times practicing his arias; Barcarolle, the dog, and Dorabella, the cat, kicked out because they can no longer catch rabbits and mice; and General Boom, a retired army donkey --- team up to form a band. Working as a team to overcome their differences and face the hardships of the road, the Bremen Town Musicians celebrate the idea that friendship, cooperation, and respect for others is far better than facing problems alone.

Fun for children of all ages!

STARRING:

Eddie Pensier (the Rooster): Erik Rasmussen, Josh Vavases
Dorabella (The Cat): Claire Agresta, Zipphora Hyman
Barcarolle (The Dog): Lara Connally, Brianna Perez
General Boom (The Donkey): Devon Bain, A’darrion Evans

 

SPOTLIGHT CABARET
Friday, July 5, 7:15 p.m. Rhino Coffee Uptown
Saturday, July 6, 9 p.m. Flying Heart Brewing, 700 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111
Donations accepted

Curated and Directed by Adam Philley
A casual evening of Broadway melodies curated by Shreveport’s favorite music director, Adam Philley.

STARRING: Nina Anderson, Tony Anthony, Amy Austin, Kay Boyte-Moore, Kyle Chastulik, Lara Connally, A'darrion Evans, Jada Foster, Elyn Green, Madeleine Munro, Erik Rasmussen, Ellen Sudarshan, and Sierra Worman

 

COSI FAN TUTTE
Saturday, July 13, 7-10 p.m.
Sunday, July 14, 2-5 p.m.

Anderson Auditorium
$20 General Public
$10 Students, Seniors, Military with ID
Free for Centenary Faculty, Staff, and Students with ID

By W.A. Mozart
Directed by Shawn Marie Jeffery
Kristin Roach, Conductor & Musical Director
Collaborative Pianist: David Hill

Fiordiligi: Victoria Sundin
Dorabella: Sarah S. Dailey (guest artist)
Despina: Katie Wick              
Ferrando: Tony Anthony
Gugliemo: Carlos Romero
Don Alfonso: Kyle Chastulik

CHORUS:
Claire Agresta, Nina Anderson, Amy Austin, Devon Bain, Sarah Beegle, Kay Boyte-Moore, Morgan-Elise Brady, Lara Connally, A’darrion Evans, Jada Foster, Elyn Green, Zipphora Hyman, Helen Kimber, Natalia Lastowiecka, Jaimie Lowe, Rachel Moon, Madeleine Munro, Connie New, Brianna Perez, Julie Query, Catherine Raible, Erik Rasmussen, Ellen Sudershan, Josh Vavases, Sierra Worman

Mozart's sparkling comedy pits men against women as two soldiers, challenged by a cynical bachelor friend to prove that their girlfriends are paragons of fidelity, give themselves over to his direction to play a trick on the ladies and their clever maid. But can anyone handle the outcome? Sung in English.

 

ALE AND ARIAS AT FLYING HEART BREWING
Sunday, July 14, 6-8 p.m.

Flying Heart Brewing, 700 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111
Donations accepted

Join us after the show for some delicious brews, pizza, and more opera as the cast of Spotlight 2019 lets fly with your favorite arias. Flying Heart is generously donating $1 per pint of beer or glass of wine sold during the event, so come thirsty for good beer, good company, and good music!

 

THE CONSUL
 

Saturday, July 20, 7-10 p.m.
Sunday, July 21, 2-5 p.m.
Anderson Auditorium
$20 General Public
$10 Students, Seniors, Military with ID
Free for Centenary Faculty, Staff, and Students with ID

By Gian Carlo Menotti
Directed by Cindy Sadler
Conductor and Musical Director Kristin Roach
Collaborative Pianist William Reber

STARRING:

Magda Sorel:  Jaimie Lowe
John Sorel: Jeremiah Drake
Mother: Sarah Beegle
Police Inspector: Kyle Chastulik            
Secretary: Connie New
Niko Magadoff:Josh Vavases         
Mr. Koffner: Devon Bain
Vera Boronel: Jada Foster
The Foreign Woman: Sierra Worman
Mrs. Gomez: Elyn Green
Assan: Carlos Romero
Voice on the Recording: Nina Anderson      

Though it premiered in 1950, this tragic tale of a dissident family struggling to flee their tyrannical homeland and immigrate to safety could be ripped from today’s headlines. Freedom fighter John Sorel, having narrowly escaped capture, is forced to flee across the border, leaving his wife, mother, and infant son behind. Watched and harassed by the secret police, Sorel’s wife Magda visits the Consulate every day in hopes of getting visas for her family. There she finds an assortment of other hopeful refugees, each as entangled in unfeeling bureaucracy as she is. As the situation grows increasingly more desperate, Magda at last reaches the breaking point, with devastating results.

Inspired by Gian Carlo Menotti’s sympathy for the refugees of World War II, The Consul won both the Pulitzer Prize for Music and the New York Drama Critic’s Circle Award for Best Musical.

Sung in English.

 

OPERA SCENES SHOWCASE
Friday, July 26, 7-10 p.m.
Saturday, July 27, 2-5 p.m.

Anderson Auditorium

$10 General Public
$7 Seniors, Students, Military with ID
Free to Centenary Faculty, Staff, and Students with ID

Directed by Shawn Marie Jeffery and Bruce Cain
Musical Direction by Kristin Roach, William Reber, David Hill, and Heeyoung Choi

A little bit of this, a little bit of that ... opera excerpts from The Daughter of the Regiment, La Rondine, Manon, Die Fledermaus, The Impresario, The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, I Capuleti ei Montecchi, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Carmen, Giulio Cesare, and Lucia di Lammermoor.

STARRING: Claire Agresta, Nina Anderson, Tony Anthony, Amy Austin, Devon Bain, Sarah Beegle, Kay Boyte-Moore, Morgan-Elise Brady, Lara Connally, A’darrion Evans, Jada Foster, Elyn Green, Zipphora Hyman, Helen Kimber, Natalia Lastowiecka, Rachel Moon, Madeleine Munro, Connie New, Brianna Perez, Julie Query, Catherine Raible, Erik Rasmussen, Carlos Romero, Ellen Sudershan, Victoria Sundin, Josh Vavases, Katie Wick, Sierra Worman

 

AIDA: A GALA CONCERT
Sunday, July 28, 2-5 p.m.

Anderson Auditorium
Reception to follow
$25 General Public
$12 Seniors, Students, Military with ID
Donations accepted


By Giuseppe Verdi
Musical direction by Kristin Roach
Collaborative Pianists: William Reber & David Hill

Aida: Elizabeth Herlitz-Cortes (guest artist)
Amneris: Cindy Sadler (faculty)
Radames: Nicholas Simpson (faculty)
Amonasro: Cory Schantz (guest artist)
Ramfis: Edward J. Crafts (guest artist)
King/Ensemble: Kyle Chastulik (student)
High Priestess/Ensemble: Rachel Moon (student)
Messenger/Ensemble: Tony Anthony  (student)

Chorus: Claire Agresta, Nina Anderson, Tony Anthony, Amy Austin, Devon Bain, Sarah Beegle, Kay Boyte-Moore, Morgan-Elise Brady, Kyle Chastulik, Lara Connally, A’darrion Evans, Jada Foster, Elyn Green, Zipphora Hyman, Helen Kimber, Natalia Lastowiecka, Jaimie Lowe, Rachel Moon, Madeleine Munro, Connie New, Brianna Perez, Julie Query, Catherine Raible, Erik Rasmussen, Carlos Romero, Ellen Sudershan, Victoria Sundin, Josh Vavases, Katie Wick, Sierra Worman

Spotlight's distinguished faculty, guests, and students come together to present our grand season finale --- a concert of Verdi's Egyptian-themed masterpiece, Aida. A love triangle between a brave enslaved princess, the Egyptian general who loves her, and the powerful Pharoah's daughter who wants the general for herself, Aida is filled with magical, evocative music and drama. Don't miss your chance to hear this stirring music live!

This grand concert is a special fundraiser to help Spotlight continue its tradition of excellent training for young artists, and intimate opera for the community!

 

2018

Past Events

LA BOHÈME

July 28, 7 p.m. & 29, 2 p.m., Anderson Auditorium

Puccini's masterpiece about the lives and loves of starving artists in 19th century Paris gets a fresh, modern take from stage director Josh Miller; but the soaring melodies and searing love stories are still there.

Free to Centenary students, faculty, and staff; $20/general public/$10 seniors, military, and students with ID.

 

 
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

This charming half-hour children’s opera will be presented in various July dates and locations – see www.SpotlightonOpera.com for details.

July 27 - Anderson Auditorium - Hurley School of Music - Centenary College of Louisiana

Little Red’s mom told her to head straight to poor sick Grandma’s with a basket of goodies and make SURE she didn’t talk to strangers. But the Big Bad Wolf is a smooth talker, and Little Red can’t resist stopping by the strawberry patch. Can Little Red outsmart Big Bad and save Grandma?

FREE

 

WELCOME CONCERT AND RECEPTION

Sunday, June 24, 7 p.m. Anderson Auditorium

Starring soprano Gale Odom, mezzo-soprano Cindy Sadler, baritones Bruce Cain and Adam Philley, collaborative pianists Kristin Roach, Tyler Tucker, and Riley McKinch, and the cast of Memphis: The Musical from Shreveport Little Theatre. Free and open to the public!

 

SEASON PREVIEW CONCERT AT BROOKDALE

Thursday, July 5, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Highlights from our upcoming season, including excerpts from The Pirates of Penzance, La bohème, Little Red Riding Hood, and more!

 

DEATH BY ARIA

Friday, July 6, 7 p.m. JR Gallery & Performance Space

Kick back with a cocktail and enjoy a cavalcade of talent as the 2018 Spotlight cast shows off their best party pieces. $5 General Admission

 

SPOTLIGHT CABARET

Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. JR Gallery & Performance Space

You’ve never seen opera like this! Centenary’s resident Broadway expert Adam Philley leads a cast of genre-bending young stars in a surprising night of musical theatre hits. $20/general public, $10/Seniors, students, military with ID

 

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

This charming half-hour children’s opera will be presented in various July dates and locations – see www.SpotlightonOpera.com for details.

July 11 – Norton Art Gallery View Photos
July 12 – Shreve Memorial Library Broadmoor Branch View Photos
July 13 – Shriner’s Children’s Hospital 
July 17 – Friendship House
July 20 – Noel United Methodist Church
July 27 - Anderson Auditorium - Hurley School of Music - Centenary College of Louisiana

Little Red’s mom told her to head straight to poor sick Grandma’s with a basket of goodies and make SURE she didn’t talk to strangers. But the Big Bad Wolf is a smooth talker, and Little Red can’t resist stopping by the strawberry patch. Can Little Red outsmart Big Bad and save Grandma?

FREE

 

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

July 14, 7 p.m. & July 15, 2 p.m. Anderson Auditorium

When swashbuckling pirates and vivacious Victorian maidens mix, you get hilariously tuneful results. Former apprentice pirate Frederic is torn by his affection for his comrades, his loyalty to country and duty, and his love for Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Meanwhile, the Pirate King, aided by Frederic's former nurse Ruth, is leading an attack on the Stanley manse, with the intention of carrying off his daughters as wives for the pirate band. What's a slave of duty to do? FREE to Centenary students, faculty, and staff. $20/general public, $10/Seniors, students, military with ID

View Photos

 

CONCERT AT BROOKDALE BOSSIER CITY

July 20, 3 p.m.

Season highlights including excerpts from The Pirates of Penzance, La bohème, Little Red Riding Hood, and more!

 

OPERA SCENES SHOWCASE

July 21, 7 p.m. &  July 22, 2 p.m. Anderson Auditorium

Spotlight artists showcase their talent in an operatic smorgasbord of excerpts with something for everybody. A great way to sample opera! Free to Centenary students, faculty, and staff. $10 general public/$7 seniors, military, and non-Centenary students with ID.

Purchase Tickets

 

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