Black History Month Spotlight
ICYMI, we've been spotlighting the fantastic creators, composers, and directors throughout February that help COT bring this season to life.
Beginning with the renaissance woman herself, Errollyn Wallen.
We've been thrilled to have the opportunity to commission Errollyn to create Quamino's Map. Born in Belize, Errollyn gave up her training at the Dance Theater of Harlem, New York, to study composition at the universities of London and Cambridge. She founded her own Ensemble X, and its motto,' We don't break down barriers in music… we don't see any,' reflects her genuine, free-spirited approach and eclectic musicianship. She has been commissioned by outstanding music institutions from the BBC to the Royal Opera House and performed her songs internationally. Wallen was awarded an MBE for her services to music in the Queen's birthday honours list in June 2007.
Next, we wanted to introduce Jeri Lynne Johnson.
Jeri made history in 2005, being the first Black woman to win the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship international conducting prize. Since then, she's continued breaking barriers in EUR/US as the first woman and/or African-American woman on the podium for many orchestras and opera companies. Jeri Lynne Johnson has conducted around the globe and will be conducting for Errollyn Wallen and Deborah Brevoort's world premiere of #QuaminosMap. Jerri also founded the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra in 2008, where she also is the artistic director. The Black Pearl has been recognized nationally and internationally as an award-winning leading innovator in social justice and racial equity.
Next up on our spotlight list is the upcoming director Kimille Howard.
Kimille is a New York-based director, deviser, writer, and filmmaker and has recently been named Artistic Director of the Lucille Lortel Theatre's NYC Public HS Playwriting Fellowship and a co-founder of the Black Classical Music Archive. In addition, for Joseph Krawczyk's It's All About Lorrie at the Hudson Theater, Kimille was awarded Best Director at the Thespis Festival in 2016. Kimille's previous work was staged all across New York. Her latest fellowships include the 2050 Fellowship at the New York Theatre Workshop and the Jonathan Alper Directing Fellowship at the Manhattan Theatre Club. In April, you can see Kimille's directing at the Studebaker theatre for the world premiere of Quamino's Map.
At Chicago Opera Theater, a part of our mission is to identify top-tier casts and creative talent, and it's safe to say this team of women is just that. So join them on the opening night of Quamino's Map. You can buy tickets here.
