Kentucky Opera

The Big Break: Sitting In and Saying Goodbye

Erin Keane — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

On our audio diary series The Big Break, two of our emerging performers take us inside rehearsals for upcoming productions while a third says farewell to Louisville. Over at the Louisville Ballet, trainee Claire Horrocks discusses the gravity of the understudy role in rehearsal, while at Actors Theatre of Louisville, apprentice Samantha Beach sits in on rehearsals for the five productions opening soon in the Humana Festival of New American Plays.

The Big Break: A Face in the Crowd

Erin Keane — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

On our audio diary series The Big Break, we hear from Louisville Ballet trainee Claire Horrocks on staging the market scene in Act Two of "Romeo and Juliet," opening March 1, and studio artist Brad Raymond discusses his role in the chorus of "Don Giovanni," his final role with the Kentucky Opera.

Learn more about our audio diarists, who report in every Thursday on life in Louisville's performing arts companies.

The Big Break: Surprises on Stage

Erin Keane — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:30:00 +0000

On our audio diary series The Big Break, our emerging performers encounter some surprises on stage and learn that every show brings its unique challenges and opportunities.

Mozart Masterpiece Goes Noir

Erin Keane — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:21 +0000

The Kentucky Opera gives Mozart's masterpiece "Don Giovanni" a film noir makeover for the final production of the season. Mozart’s opera (with libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte) is based on the legends of Don Juan, the fictional unrepentant heartbreaker. In "Don Giovanni," the eponymous womanizer seduces Donna Anna then kills her father in a duel -- and that’s just the first scene.

“Don Giovanni” runs Friday evening and Sunday afternoon in the Brown Theater.

The Big Break: History Lessons

Erin Keane — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

On our audio diary series The Big Break, our emerging performers learn and teach some unique history lessons.Louisville Ballet trainee Claire Horrocks gets fitted for costumes for the upcoming production of "Romeo and Juliet" and takes us on a tour of the costume shop. Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice Samantha Beach uses Roman history to write a play in 24 hours, and Kentucky Opera studio artist Brad Raymond goes on tour to local schools, teaching American history through song.

The Big Break: Voices and Choices

Erin Keane — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

On our audio diary series The Big Break, our emerging performers dig deep into their daily work. Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice Samantha Beach learns how fearless high school playwrights can be while reading for the theater's New Voices Young Playwrights Festival. Louisville Ballet trainee Claire Horrocks studies character development from choreographer Helen Starr in rehearsals for "Romeo and Juliet," while Kentucky Opera studio artist Brad Raymond faces the unmentionable—losing his voice during a run of outreach performances.

The Big Break: Back to School

Erin Keane — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

On our audio diary series The Big Break, all three of our apprentices go back to school. Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice Samantha Beach learns a new vocal technique in a workshop, while Louisville Ballet trainee Claire Horrocks plays both teacher and student while developing her original piece for the upcoming Choreographer's Showcase (Jan. 24).

The Big Break: A Gear Shift

Erin Keane — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This week on our audio diary series "The Big Break," Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice Samantha Beach finishes her run of "A Christmas Story" with a fun souvenir—a recording of herself playing the teacher during a student matinee. Over at the Louisville Ballet, Claire Horrocks explains why the snowflake and the flower are the toughest roles she tackles in "The Nutcracker" and Brad Raymond spends his break from the Kentucky Opera learning music for the Kentucky Opera. (No rest for the talented.)

Kentucky Opera's Composer Workshop Program Receives NEA Support

Erin Keane — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:37:08 +0000

The Kentucky Opera is on the list of Kentucky artists and organizations receiving grants from the National Endowment for the Arts for the next fiscal year. The opera will receive $12,500 to help fund the development of a new one-act opera by composer Paul Moravec and librettist Terry Teachout through its innovative composer workshop.

The Big Break: In a New Light

Erin Keane — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:51:54 +0000

This week on our audio diary series "The Big Break," Louisville Ballet trainee Claire Horrocks sees the cast list for "The Nutcracker" and learns her new choreography for the familiar show. Actors Theatre apprentice Samantha Beach sits in on rehearsal for "True West," where she discovers a hidden talent, and Kentucky Opera studio artist Brad Raymond takes "Tosca" on the road.