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Umbra: A New Opera-Theater Work on Grief

Hello!

My name is Elliot Menard, I am an opera-maker, and I am raising funds for my opera-theater project, Umbra — presented at Highways Performance Space on March 21 and 22, 2025 and directed by Héctor Alvarez.

Adapted from the Orpheus myth and driven by a personal experience of loss, Umbra explores grief as a metamorphic force and asks the question: how does grief transform (us)?

In the disorientation of grief, the wires of reality, mythology, memory, dream, and time cross. A portal opens. Umbra exists here.

Umbra is written for mezzo-soprano, treble voice ensemble, cello, flute, and electronics, with a libretto constructed from Ovid’s Latin Metamorphoses, personal memory, and original poetry.

Thank you for considering a tax-deductible donation to the production of Umbra. Any amount is deeply appreciated and helps cover artist fees, work samples, scenic materials, costumes, hospitality, and more.

I hope to see you at the show!

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Collaborators:

Director: Héctor Alvarez

Music Director: Daniel Newman-Lessler

Associate Director: Rory James Leech

Costume Designer: Ashley Snyder

Lighting Designer: Claire Chrzan

Dramaturg: Benny Pitt

Performers: Marly Gonzalez, Emma-rose Bauman, Elliot Menard, Nelle Anderson, Isabel Springer, Carmen Edano, Shannon Delijani, Livia Reiner, and Karolina Kwasniak.

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Tax-exempt status: Umbra is a fiscally-sponsored project of the Resonance Collective, a non-profit music organization. Contributions to Umbra must be made payable to the Resonance Collective only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Your donation to Umbra will be received and held by the Resonance Collective before being disbursed to Umbra.

$26,347 raised

88% of $30,000 goal · 22 supporters

Campaign ended Mar 23, 2025 at 11:59pm