Orlofsky’s Party
Digital Program
Renegade Artists
Falke
Jasmine Johnson made her professional role debut in 2022 with West Edge Opera as Nireno in Giulio Cesare. In 2023 she was seen on stage with Portland Opera as Third Wood-Sprite in Rusalka. Ms.Johnson has a passion for performing new operas and works. Driven by an insatiable thirst for growth Ms.Johnson now aspires to deepen her impact on the opera world. After completing a year as a Portland Opera resident artist Ms.Johnson started a leadership fellowship at the Portland Opera. Where opera singers learn how to transition their artistic skill set into leadership skills while continuing to perform. This pursuit stems from her desire to refine her leadership skills so that she can contribute to the artistic community in a positive and impactful way, and foster the next generation of opera enthusiasts. She is most excited about her new appointment as a board member for Renegade Opera. Jasmine Johnson is currently at Portland Opera as the Corporate Relations Manager where she is raising funds for the arts.
Rosie
Hailed as “captivating in her performance” (The Register-Guard, Eugene OR) and “lovely… with a well-focused tone” (Opera News), Emily Evelyn Way is a lyric coloratura soprano based in the Pacific Northwest. She was most recently seen as Sandman/Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel with Eugene Opera, as the Soprano in Renegade Opera’s production She Loves You Back, as Zina in Dark Sisters with OrpheusPDX, Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor in a joint production with Opera Bend and the Central Oregon Symphony, in recital at Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel, Oregon, and in concert with Ping and Woof Opera, singing works from L’Elisir d’Amore, Don Pasquale and La Traviata. Past roles include Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore (Opera Bend), Adele in Die Fledermaus (Eugene Opera), Laurie in The Tender Land, Héro in Berlioz’s Béatrice et Benedict (Eugene Opera), Beth in Little Women (Eugene Opera, Astoria Music Festival), Flora in The Turn of the Screw (Eugene Opera, Opera on the Avalon), and Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel (Opera on the Avalon). Ms. Way has also served as the cover for Violetta in La Traviata (Amore Opera) and Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor (New York Opera Exchange). Other notable operatic roles include Königin der Nacht, Nanetta, and Zerlina, among others. Notably, Ms. Way made her Mexican debut as the Soprano Soloist in Carmina Burana with the Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Alamos, Mexico, which was broadcast nationally. She has performed in concert with Portland Choir and Orchestra, Music at the Gate in Queens, NY and multiple recital series throughout the country.
Orlofsky
Claire Robertson-Preis is a mezzo-soprano, arts administrator, educator, and writer in Portland, OR. In 2024, Claire’s “smooth alto intonement” (Oregon ArtsWatch) shone with Portland Symphonic Choir as the Alto Soloist for a world-premiere dance and choral performance of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. In 2023, they also devised and performed in Renegade Opera’s She Loves You Back. Other recent onstage appearances in Portland include Norah/Alto Chorus in Renegade Opera's innovative outdoor production of Orfeo in Underland (2021) and Second Lady in Aquilon Music Festival’s production of The Magic Flute (2019). As a choral musician, Claire is on Portland Symphonic Choir’s roster since 2021 and has performed with Resonance Ensemble. Selected past credits from her time as a soprano include: Sam-I-Am in the WV Opera Outreach program of Green Eggs and Ham, and First Lady in the WVU Mainstage production of The Magic Flute (2019). In addition to performing, Claire has also stepped into directing, serving as music director for RHS Opening Act Theatre’s Addams Family (2024), Failure: A Love Story (2023), and Mamma Mia! (2022). Having grown up in Texas and Montana, Claire's connection to music, art, and the environment has been deeply influenced by rural landscapes. Her performances and writing examine the connections between people, our creativity and the places we shape with our actions. When not singing, Claire enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and trying something new (most recently, stand-up comedy). www.clairerobertsonpreis.com
Adele
Abigail Krawson is dynamic performer, an engaging educator, and a passionate producer of innovative opera and vocal performances. In the 2023-24 season, Abby was a soloist at The JUDY with Renegade Opera, reprising her Mourning Dove portrayal in Bird Songs of Opera, a soloist at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church for Handel’s Messiah with members from the Oregon Symphony, and co-created a new collection of musical selections for Tapestry, a duo concert with LaRiche Lamar. Abby also curated 2 recitals called From the Vault for the Portland Symphonic Choir. She sang in the choruses of Le Nozze di Figaro and a Puccini concert with Portland Opera, a world premiere production of Rachmaninoff's Vespers, a holiday concert, and Beethoven's 9th Symphony with Portland Symphonic Choir. She also joined the Vancouver Master Chorale as the soprano soloist in Poulenc's Gloria. And to end the season, she wrote and directed a musical theater camp and performance for 4th-9th graders at Lake Grove. In the 2022-23 season, she portrayed the Mourning Dove in Renegade’s Bird Songs of Opera, sang a duo concert called Tapestry with friend and vocalist, LaRiche Lamar, and commissioned a new choral work by local composer, Cecille Elliott, for her youth choir. In the 2021-22 season she sang Vivaldi's Gloria and Mozart's Vespers Solennes de Confessore with Eugene Concert Choir, was the soprano Flower in Blythely Ever After, a rock/opera cabaret with Stephanie Blythe at Boston Lyric Opera, and performed with OrpheusPDX as Proserpina in Monteverdi's L'Orfeo. Prior to 2020, Abigail sang Adele in Die Fledermaus with Amarillo Opera, Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica with Opera West, joined both The Phoenix Theatre (Sound of Music) and Arizona Opera (La Bohème) as an ensemble member, and took First Prize at the Southwest Vocal Competition. Past season highlights include the saucy Musetta in La Bohème, the vocally punishing, but ever charming Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, the charming Marzelline in Fidelio, and Adamo’s heart-wrenching Beth in Little Women. And on the concert stage, she has performed the solos in Strauss’ Brentano Lieder, Mozart's Requiem,and Brahms' Requiem. abigailkrawson.com
Gabe Eisenstein
Jesse Preis is a tenor, pianist, and composer, originally from Emblem, Wyoming. Jesse graduated from the University of Montana in 2016 with a BM in Piano Performance & Pedagogy and a BA in Vocal Performance and studied voice abroad in Graz, Austria (The American Institute of Musical Studies) during the summers of 2016. In 2019, Jesse completed an M.M. Vocal Performance at West Virginia University. After relocating to Portland, Jesse has worked as a piano teacher at Hoffman Academy and Lydian Music Studios, the Director of Music Ministry at Prince of Life Lutheran Church and Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, and as a freelance accompanist. They have collaborated with Renegade Opera as a pianist on works such as La clemenza di Tito (2022) and She Loves You Back (2023), they performed with the Lutheran Chorale Association during their 2023 Summer Season, and have collaborated with other church and community choirs in Oregon, West Virginia, and Montana. As a tenor, Jesse has appeared as Perry in Orfeo in Underland (Renegade Opera), Parpignol in La boheme Warhola (Pittsburgh Festival Opera), the First Priest and Armored Guard in The Magic Flute (WVU), and roles in numerous opera scenes productions. In addition to their performing career, Jesse's compositions have been performed by the Northwest Civic Orchestra (Powell, WY), Portland Symphonic Choir, and Renegade Opera.
Catalyst Artists
Catalyst Artist
Friday Soloist
Sophia Plath is currently a Sophomore at ACMA High School in Beaverton. She started acting in Kindergarten with one of NWCT’s classes . She has been with NWCT’s Catalyst since 2021. Prior to that she was part of NWCT’s Kids Co and Studio Jr. She has played various roles in their camps - Les Mis, Anything Goes, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Anastasia and was part of their production of Cinderella. At ACMA, she has been in their productions of Footloose (Ethel), The Drowsy Chaperone (Mrs. Tottendale), Little Shop of Horrors (Mrs. Mushnik), Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Annabeth) and Chicago (ensemble). She is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to work with Renegade Opera, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Catalyst Artist
Friday Soloist
Yuyoun Choi is currently a sophomore at Westview High School in Beaverton. He loves doing shows and theater in general. At his high school he has done Schoolhouse Rock (George), and Little Women (Laurie). Yuyoun does a lot of community theater as well with NWCT and other theater companies. Recently he has done Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere) and Newsies Jr. with NWCT, Fiddler on the Roof (Motel) with Broadway Rose, and is currently doing Sweeney Todd (Anthony) at STAGES. He is thrilled to be a part of this project with professionals and loved working with his peers on this project.
Catalyst Artist
Saturday Soloist
Sydney Jordan has always enjoyed all things theatrical, and has participated in many productions, like Les Mis, She Kills Monsters, and A Chorus Line at Northwest Children's Theater and recently she participated in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Into the Woods at Lincoln High School. When she’s not immersed with a theater production, Sydney loves to sing, read, write and spend time with her friends and family. Sydney is excited to join the incredibly talented performers at Renegade Opera and Northwest Children’s Theater.
Catalyst Artist
Saturday Soloist
Maxine Nuesa has been involved with performing arts since age 7. Recent credits include Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer at Northwest Children’s Theater, Fiddler On the Roof and Big Fish at Broadway Rose Theater Company, The Addams Family at Lovegood Performing Arts Company, and Mary Poppins at Southridge High School. In her free time she enjoys playing guitar, knitting, and listening to music. Maxine is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Renegade Opera, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Catalyst Artist
Sunday Soloist
Asher Smith is a freshman at Cleveland High School and a member of NWCT’s Catalyst Company and Oregon Children’s Theatre’s Young Professionals Program. She is thrilled to be performing with such talented artists in her first opera. She was most recently seen playing Yellow Dog in NWCT’s mainstage production of Go Dog, Go! And her other credits include Katherine in Newsies! Jr. (Da Vinci Arts Middle School), Eli in the immersive production of !SLASH! (The Reformers), Ensemble in Cinderella (NWCT Catalyst), and Babette in Beauty & the Beast Jr. (Da Vinci Arts Middle School). When Asher is not performing, she can be found rehearsing for her next show, A Christmas Story with Lakewood Theatre. Big thanks to Maddy Ross, Sarah Jane Hardy and Dustin Brown for their training and direction.
Catalyst Artist
Sunday Soloist
Judah Haynes, a senior at Tigard High School, is thrilled to be performing with Renegade Opera! Recent performances include Company, Crazy For You, and Newsies Jr with Catalyst, Head Over Heels and The Book of Will at THS, and Something Rotten! with YPTP. In his free time, Judah enjoys hiking, reading, and noodling around on the piano. Many thanks to his family, friends, educators, and the fabulous members of this company who’ve made this show possible.
Production Staff
Music Director
Claire Forstman is a pianist and vocal coach currently based in Portland, Oregon, where she is in her second year as a member of the Resident Artist studio at Portland Opera. In the ’24-’25 season, she will be the principal pianist for the company’s production of Falstaff, play orchestral keyboards for Paul Moravec’s The Shining, and lead the studio’s scenes program and aria showcase as Music Director. Last season, she was principal pianist and orchestral keyboardist for Portland Opera’s Puccini: In Concert, offstage conductor for Joel Thompson’s The Snowy Day, and second pianist for the cabaret concert Enchanted Woods and the company’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Claire’s 2024 summer season features work with the Oregon Bach Festival as a rehearsal pianist and continuo player; OrpheusPDX, playing continuo for Handel’s Aci, Galatea e Polifemo; Vashon Opera, as a repetiteur for Verdi’s Otello; and Renegade Opera, as Music Director for Orlofsky’s Party, a reimagining of Die Fledermaus. She is a sought-after local and regional pianist, serving last season as a repetiteur for Renegade Opera’s workshop of the revue-style American Patriots and Opera Bend’s production of La Traviata, as well as being a regular collaborator with the Portland Symphonic Choir and an accompanist for Opera in the Park and Portland’s Opera on Tap. This fall, she will be the Music Director for David Conte’s The Gift of the Magi at Portland State University. Before moving to Portland, Claire held studio residencies at the Florentine Opera, Opera Steamboat, and Finger Lakes Opera, and additionally coached at Chicago Summer Opera, dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, and Sarah Lawrence College. Her past seasons of work have included Rigoletto (Florentine Opera), Massenet’s Cendrillon (Chicago Summer Opera), L’enfant et les sortilèges (Florentine), La bohème (Florentine), Gianni Schicchi (Opera Steamboat), Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up (Steamboat), the premiere of a new arrangement of Così fan tutte by composer Nicolas Benavides and librettist Kelly Rourke (Florentine), the premieres of Carla Lucero’s Juana (dell’Arte Opera Ensemble), Whitney George’s Julie (New Camerata Opera), Fizz & Ginger (The Curiosity Cabinet) and Princess Maleine (dell’Arte), Roméo et Juliette (Florentine), Agrippina (CSO), and Il barbiere di Siviglia (Florentine; Finger Lakes Opera), among others. In addition to vocal collaboration, Claire works as a dance accompanist for BodyVox dance company and the Oregon Ballet Theatre School, and worked previously for the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. She earned her M.M. in Contemporary Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a B.M. in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music.
Stage Director
Annabel Cantor
Production Manager
Executive Director Madeline Ross brings her dedication to immersive, relevant operatic storytelling, accessibility, and equity to her work at Renegade Opera. Ms. Ross has over 10 years of theater production experience, previously founding and serving as Executive Director for Promenade Opera Project in Boston, MA. Ms. Ross’ skills as an administrator, producer, and performer inform all aspects of her career in the arts. Praised for her “brilliant coloratura voice,” “world class” stage presence, and thrilling versatility, Madeline Ross has been seen most recently making her Portland Opera debut as the First Woodspite in Dvorak’s Rusalka and as the Northern Flicker in Bird Songs of Opera with Renegade Opera. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2019 as a jazz soloist where she “scatt[ed] to beat the band” (NY Concert Review). Ms. Ross has also performed with Resonance Ensemble, The Oregon Symphony, 45th Parallel, Opera Theater Oregon, Shaking the Tree Theatre, and was recently hailed for “effortlessly nailing” her performance as Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Oregon ArtsWatch). She won first prize at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Classical Voice Competition in 2020, the Annemarie Gertz Prize at the 2024 NATS Artist Awards, and was honored to take part in a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. premiering An African American Requiem by Damien Geter with Resonance Ensemble and NEWorks Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent engagements include three role debuts, as Tamiri in Mozart’s Il re pastore and as Lucinda in Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters with Orpheus PDX (Summer 2023), and as Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with Portland Opera (Fall 2023). madelinelross.com
Henry Martin
Stage Manger & Lighting Designer
Set & Props Designer
Allison Sept is a multimedia artist with a penchant for all things fantastical, experimental and peculiar. Words, pen and ink, photographs, clay, flowers, sounds, paper mache, and bits of nature are all mediums represented in her recent creative explorations. Her floral design work can be found under the name, Friends with Flowers. Allison resides in a blue house in Portland Oregon with her partner, and her dog. Most days you can find her in her backyard daydreaming. She is thrilled for this opportunity to be involved in a Renegade Opera!
Projection Designer
Akitora Ishii
Costume Designer
Moth Noriega is a Chicanx costumer, researcher, and artist based in Portland. Moth has always been fascinated by fashion as a powerful tool for self-expression and discovered their love for sewing & costuming as a teenager. They received their BA in Sociology and Classical Studies from Portland State University in 2023 and their background as a sociologist greatly informs their work in theater, approaching costume design as a medium to explore & reflect upon our complex identities, cultural narratives, and social dynamics. Previous credits include Blood Wedding at Shaking the Tree (Assistant Costume Designer), A Dream Play at PSU (Costumer), and Clinton Street Cabaret (Makeup & Costume Manager 69th Term). Orlofsky’s Party is their first time designing an opera and they are deeply grateful for the opportunity. mothnoriega.com
