Jesse Preis debuts The Raven, a chamber opera composed for three voices and piano from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem of the same name. In this opera, the narrator (split into two characters to capture the perspective of the Past and the Current at two different stages in life) deals with the loss of a loved one. These complicated, painful, and even terrifying emotions become personified through the character of the Raven. This work is composed with no specific voice types tied to the characters - anyone able to sing the part can and should sing them. This is a groundbreaking composing technique that unties the binds of gendered characters and allows vocalists to portray a character of any gender that is authentic to them and suits their voice. Preis seeks to expand our understanding of vocal writing to go beyond the gendered conventions of soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and bass-baritone, and posits a world where characters are simply written and performed by a wide variety of voices.

There will be a discussion between the audience and the creating team after the workshop performance to offer feedback on the progress of the piece and offer their ideas for future iterations. Tickets for The Raven are on a sliding scale, $20, $40, or $80 with a special free ticket to members of the trans and non-binary community to attend. 

Runtime: 30 minutes with an additional 30 minute talk back after.

THE RAVEN CAST
Past Narrator - Abigail Krawson
Current Narrator - Claire Robertson-Preis
The Raven - Madeline Ross

THE RAVEN CREATIVE
Composer - Jesse Preis
Librettist - Edgar Allan Poe
Pianist - Emily Evelyn Way
Stage Manager - Emily Trimble

Little Ones, with music by Danielle Jagelski (Oneida/Ojibwe) and libretto by Rhiana Yazzie (Navajo), portrays the life of "Marigold," a 17 year old student at a Native American Residential School, following her through her senior year of high school. “Little Ones" is a dark-comedic opera that unfolds in the 1980s, delving into the evolution of the slogan "Kill the Indian, Save the child" into a more contemporary, ostensibly benevolent version: "Save the Indian, Save them from themselves." In essence, "Little Ones" serves as a tribute to the multifaceted challenges that Indigenous young people faced during the final decade of the US residential school era, and continue to grapple with today. This work paints a vivid picture of the struggles of any person who is conflicted with their place in American society while preserving their individual identity, all within a world undergoing profound change. As daughters of Residential School survivors, Jagelski and Yazzie aim to tell this story through a lens of connection and community. 

There will be a discussion between the audience and the creating team after the libretto reading to offer feedback on the progress of the piece and offer their ideas for future iterations. Tickets for Little Ones are on a sliding scale, $20, $40, or $80 with a special free ticket to members of the Indigenous community to attend.

Runtime: 30 minutes with an additional 30 minute talk back after.

LITTLE ONES CAST
Mrs. Ross - Madeline Ross
Marigold - Michelle Laftery
Lilly - Taya Dixon
Jackson - Robert Franklin
Victor - Tristan Cameron
Ms. Ruby/Lunch Lady - Amber Kay Ball
Mr. Ross - Jesse Preis

LITTLE ONES CREATIVE
Composer - Danielle Jagelski
Librettist & Director - Rhiana Yazzie
Assistant Director - Amber Kay Ball
Additional Poetry - Charli Fool Bear
Pianist - Jesse Preis
Stage Manager - Emily Trimble