AS ONE
America's most produced contemporary opera, AS ONE s a chamber opera in which two voices— Hannah younger and Hannah older— share the part of a sole transgender protagonist. This 75-minute work by Laura Kaminsky, Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed traces Hannah’s experiences from her youth in a small town to her college years—and finally traveling alone to a different country, where she realizes some truths about herself.
My production originated with Chicago Fringe Opera in 2017, at The Center on Halsted, Chicago's LGBTQ Community Center. I curated the TransArtist Spotlight in conjunction with the opera, showcasing original works by transgender artists, including dance performances by Darling Shear, paintings by Karla Wong and an original film by KELLEY. The production marked the Chicago debut of Maestra Alexandra Enyart, the first transgender woman to conduct AS ONE.
"...Amy Hutchison's light-handed touch helps
make this one of Chicago Fringe Opera's
best works to date."
- Vocal Arts Chicago
"Wilson and Attaguile are both superb actors and were consistently credible throughout....
Director Amy Hutchison moved the action
fluently and naturally within the intimate black box."
- Chicago Classical Review
"Both Attaguile and Wilson sang very well and did a marvelous job of externalizing Hannah’s
inner conflicts. "
- Chicago Tribune
"The show plumbed emotional depths
seldom reached by even the most famous grand operas. Evan Bravos and Ashley Kay Armstrong, delivered riveting performances."
Santa Barbara photos by Zach Mendez Chicago photos by Victor LeJeune
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OPERA SANTA BARBARA
Conductor Alexandra Enyart
Cast Ashley Kay Armstrong
Evan Bravos
Projections Kimberly Reed
Costumes Stacie Logue
Lighting Helena Kuukka
With a special performance by:
PENSACOLA OPERA
Conductor Cody Martin
Quartet Polymnia String Quartet
Cast Elise Quagliata
Projections Kimberly Reed
Costumes Laura Lane
Lighting K. Stephenson / S. Setta
Collaboration with Sunday's Child
ALAMO CITY OPERA
Conductor Kristin Roach
Quartet Camarata San Antonio
Projections Kimberly Reed
Costumes Rose Kennedy
Lighting Bill Peeler
Scenery Alfy Valdez
CHICAGO FRINGE OPERA
Conductor Alexandra Enyart
Quartet The Zafa Collective
Cast Samantha Attaguile
Jonathan Wilson
Projections Kimberly Reed
Costumes Shanna Foster
Scenery/Lighting Ted Nazarowski
Performances at The Center on Halsted