Company invites Houston families to the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center for inspiring company-commissioned opera
What: Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will present a sensory-friendly performance of Katie: The Strongest of the Strong, part of its Opera to Go! series for students and families, on Sunday, January 28, in the Kaplan Theatre at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center.
Created by composer Faye Chiao and librettist Anton Dudley, the company-commissioned, family-friendly opera celebrates women’s strength and confidence through the inspiring true story of protagonist Katie Sandwina, a circus strongwoman who defied expectations and went on to help lead the U.S. suffrage movement in the early 1900s.
Sensory-friendly performances are designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for families with members on the autism spectrum and others with sensory sensitivities. Accommodations include low lighting, the omission of flashing lights and loud sounds, flexible entry and re-entry, designated quiet areas, and permission to use electronics and other coping tools during the show.
In planning this programming, HGO was advised by Sensory Stages, a Houston firm that advises venues around the country on making live art more inclusive for all. This sensory-friendly performance is the second of its kind presented by HGO.
Each season HGO’s Opera to Go! program offers fully-staged, high-energy, 45-minute operas, sung entirely in English, at schools and community venues throughout the Houston region and the state of Texas. To learn more about the program, please contact HGO at OperaToGo@HGO.org or 713-546-0245.
When: Sunday, January 28, at 2 p.m.
Where: Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, 5601 S. Braeswood Blvd.
Tickets: Tickets are free with registration. Please reserve your tickets here. Learn more about visiting the Evelynn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center here.
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Photos link here. All photos by Melissa Taylor and Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera.
About Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor assumed leadership of the organization and responsibility for its strategic vision in 2021. HGO was the only American finalist for Opera Company of the Year in the 2019 International Opera Awards, and the only American company to be nominated twice. In fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art, to serve the Houston community, and to be a global leader in the future of opera, HGO has led the field in commissioning and producing new works (75 world premieres to date) and in training and nurturing promising young artists and administrators. The company contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. HGO’s pioneering Community and Learning initiative has served as a model for other arts organizations. The company invites all Houstonians to experience superlative opera without the barrier of price through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.
HGO has toured extensively and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and three Emmy awards. It is the only opera company to win all three honors.
