Students told stories illustrating life’s oppressions during the 1950s by combining the power of soaring vocals with performance art.
The Opera Theater program at Kennesaw State hosted “American Dreamers,” two evenings of twentieth-century one-act operas, in Katherine Scott Hall of the Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Center on Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9.
The performance featured three short, complete operas, including “A Game of Chance” by Seymour Barab, “A Hand of Bridge” by Samuel Barber and “Trouble in Tahiti” by Leonard Bernstein. Each opera was written and set in 1950s American suburbia.
“It [was] an extraordinary evening of different approaches to personal desires in the society of the 1950s, which was a rather repressed and altruistic society,” Director of Opera Theater Eileen Moremen said.
The concerts showcased the hard work of Moremen, pianist and vocal coach Erika Tazawa, vocal coach Judith Cole and spring semester Opera Theater students.
Junior music education major Jeremiah Robinson was especially thrilled by how the performance turned out. He was given the chance to choreograph Bernstein’s “Trouble in Tahiti” for the finale of the show.
“Choreographing this show was an incredible opportunity for me,” Robinson said. “I’ve always loved music and theatre. It was a huge challenge, but once I got it into my head, it came together wonderfully.”
Other performers commented on the tough, yet fulfilling, vocality of the operas presented.
“Twentieth-century music, especially opera, tends to be hard with weird intervals,” said Xandrya Edwards, a junior concentrating in vocal performance. “It was really interesting to go into the music theory of it and learn how to make it work for your voice.”
The audience at both performances seemed to enjoy experiencing a birds-eye view of life in 1950s suburbia. Each piece featured a sense of yearning for fantasy and fulfillment in life. Seating at the show was very intimate, allowing those watching to feel as though they were part of the stories.
Issues presented within the walls of the 1950s household in each scene featured universal themes, so there was a great sense of recognition and unity in the room each night.
By prodding satirically at societal issues of the 1950s that still occur in modern society, each piece aimed to teach lessons about self-awareness, achieving life goals and surrounding oneself with positive influences.
“Throughout all of the pieces, I valued the lessons that you could learn because they’re very universal,” said Melody Fort, a freshman concentrating in jazz vocals. “There’s value in love and waiting for your opportunities to come because it might not always be the time for you.”
Up next, KSU Opera Theater will work in collaboration with Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts as they present “Candide,” an opera which celebrates Berstein’s 100th birthday, April 12 through April 14, all at 8 p.m.
For more information about the School of Music and upcoming events, visit arts.kennesaw.edu/music.
