boheme-program

(in alphabetical order)
Lucy Andress
Kathryn Askew
Malaina Aultman
Lindsey Beckham
Olivia Currier
Karen Camille DeLouche
Douglas Flores
Kaelon Gerard
Jackson Gilchrist
Ann-Claire Green
Brittany Henagan
Caleb Hensley
Madeleine Kinnamon
Pat Magee
Celia Mangham
Heather McClenahan
Marcia Moffatt
Lee Ann Monat
Mark Owen
Bonnie See
Madison Self
Valencia Sneed
Amelia Stout
Rick Stovall
Kaili Taylor
Bruce Thompson
Harry Townsend
Jessica Walker
Benjamin Williamson

(in alphabetical order)
Karrington Faith Brown
Kristalen Gardner
Makaylen Gardner
Addisyn Green
Adeline Hays
Evangeline Henagan
Colin McClenahan
Jimmy McClenahan
Rose McClenahan
Kinze’Amora Mobley
Madelyn Pary

Violin
Elizabeth O'Bannon, Resident Concertmaster
Daniel Santelices, Acting Principal Second
Elizabeth Beck
Henry Edwards
Janis Adams Teague
Corey Bowe
Elijah Evans
Yakima Fernandez
Jose Garza
Alba Madrid-Walburn

Viola
Borys B. Smolaga, Principal
Adrienne Gabriel
Michele Gunn
Charles Regauer

Cello
Jason Mooney, Principal
Brett Andrews
David Jankowski

Double Bass
Justin Kujawski, Principal

Flute
Masha Popova, Principal

Oboe
Theresa Zale Bridges, Principal

Clarinet
Jake Hale, Principal
Scot Humes

Bassoon
Andrew Brooks, Acting Principal

Horn
Tom Hundemer, Principal
James Boldin

Trumpet
Tyler Moore, Principal

Bass Trombone
J. Mark Thompson, Principal

Timpani/Percussion
Chandler Teague, Principal
Anthony Robinson

Harp
Alisa Bekebrede

Stage Management
Carol Brian, Stage Manager
Hailey Chiasson, Assistant Stage Manager

Technical Director
Emily Gray

Stage Crew - IATSE Local 298
Debbie Graham, Head Props
Bobby Griffe, Head Carpenter
Robbie Mayberry, Head Flyman
James Jones, 2nd Flyman
Melody Rosser, Head Electrician
Kira Henson, Assistant
Charles McCromel, Assistant
Cliff Stacey, Assistant
Dustin Moss, Assistant

Wigs & Makeup Assistant
Elizabeth Dickinson

ACT I

Christmas Eve, Paris, 1939 - Against the backdrop of the ever-encroaching German war machine and the French mobilization, a group of starving artists try desperately to survive. Marcello, a painter; Rodolfo, a poet; and Colline, a philosopher, huddle over a fire and attempt to make light of their circumstances. When Schaunard, the musician, arrives with food and money, the four decide to go out and celebrate their new fortune. As they prepare to leave, their landlord, Benoît, knocks, seeking the rent. The four bohemians feign disgust when Benoît admits he cheats on his wife, and they cast him out without paying. Colline, Marcello, and Schaunard leave, but Rodolfo stays behind to finish an article. Mimì, a seamstress who lives one floor below, knocks, seeking help, but faints upon entering the garret. Rodolfo helps her to a chair and gives her a glass of wine. Rodolfo lights Mimì’s candle, and she prepares to leave but stops suddenly after realizing she has lost her key. The two search. Rodolfo finds the key but hides it in his pocket. Their hands touch in the darkness, and they share a romantic moment before being interrupted by Colline, Schaunard, and Marcello. Rodolfo invites Mimì to join him, and the two leave arm in arm.

ACT II

The Latin Quarter is bustling with holiday excitement. Street vendors, children, and revelers fill the square. Rodolfo buys Mimì a hat, and all seems well, though Rodolfo’s tendency toward jealousy begins to show itself. The couple arrives at Café Momus, and Rodolfo introduces Mimì to his friends. Marcello’s former lover, Musetta, enters dramatically, causing a stir amongst the onlookers. Though escorted by the wealthy older man, Alcindoro, Musetta is frustrated by Marcello’s attempts to ignore her. To rid herself of Alcindoro, she fakes an injury and sends him off to the cobbler to fix her shoe. Free of Alcindoro, Musetta and Marcello reunite. The friends leave the café together, sticking Alcindoro with the bill.

ACT III

On a cold February dawn at a gate on the outskirts of Paris, workers and peasants pass through the snow. Mimì arrives, pale and coughing from the onset of tuberculosis. She seeks Marcello, who is working nearby, to confide in him. She tells him that Rodolfo’s jealousy and frequent quarrels are driving her to despair. When Rodolfo appears, Mimì hides. He tells Marcello that he loves Mimì, but he fears she will die soon; poverty has left him powerless to save her, so he pretends to be jealous. Overhearing, Mimì breaks down in tears and reveals herself. The lovers reconcile tenderly and decide to stay together until spring. Meanwhile, Marcello and Musetta quarrel bitterly and storm off in opposite directions.

ACT IV

In the spring, Rodolfo and Marcello sit in the same garret, attempting to work but consumed with thoughts of Mimì and Musetta, who have both left them. Schaunard and Colline arrive with a meager meal. The four friends, trying to mask their despair, joke and play at sword fighting, turning their poverty into comic theater. Their laughter is interrupted when Musetta rushes in with a gravely ill Mimì, who has insisted on dying near Rodolfo, her one great love. The friends try to help: Musetta sells her earrings to buy medicine, Colline leaves to pawn his overcoat, Schaunard quietly slips away. Rodolfo and Mimì recall their first meeting and relive their history together. But Mimì grows weaker. As she drifts into a peaceful sleep, Rodolfo still believes she is resting. Schaunard realizes she has died and quietly signals to the others. When Rodolfo realizes what has happened, he collapses over her lifeless body, crying out her name.

Blaze
Blaze (Musetta's pup)

Blaze makes his Shreveport Opera debut in La Bohème. Blaze is an 8 year old neutered male Yorkie mix. He exudes good vibes and good energy. He doesn’t cause any issues at the rescue. He does great in a kennel if needed and walks well on a leash. He’s waiting on his furever home!

Blaze is available for adoption at Ninna's Road to Rescue.

Taylor Comstock
Rodolfo

Taylor Comstock has been hailed as “…stirring…” (Portland, ME Press-Herald), with “…smooth power…” and “sheer, glorious size” (BroadwayWorld). In his emerging career, Mr. Comstock has already performed many standards of the tenor repertoire, notably Radamés (Aïda), Des Grieux (Manon Lescaut), Manrico (Il Trovatore), Rodolfo (La Bohéme), Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly), and Alfredo (La Traviata). In concert performance, Taylor most recently made his Carnegie Hall debut as Tenor Soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass, K. 317. He also performed in “Three Tenors! The Next Generation” with the Vallejo Festival Orchestra. Taylor was most recently named 3rd Runner Up and received the Audience Prize in the 2024 Mary Jacobs Smith Singer or the Year at Shreveport Opera, and 1st Place in the 2023 John Alexander National Vocal Competition at Opera Mississippi. He was also a 2018 Grand Finalist at The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, and a 4-time Regional Finalist at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

Mr. Comstock's performance is generously sponsored by Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard and Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick.

Robert Cruz
Chorus Master, Assistant Conductor

A versatile musician whose musical passions and expertise run the gamut from Gregorian chant to contemporary musical theatre, Robert Cruz currently works as a freelance musician based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Robert is the organist at the historic Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, resident pianist and chorus master for the Shreveport Opera, the artistic director of the Carrefour Collaborative Music Project, and regularly performs as keyboardist with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. He has also regularly served as music director for productions at Stage Center, the Emmett Hook Center, and the Shreveport Little Theatre and as an accompanist and non-credit instructor at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Originally from the flatlands of central Indiana, Robert completed his graduate studies in organ and sacred music at Indiana University with additional study in collaborative piano at Boston University.

Mr. Cruz's performance is generously sponsored by Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard, Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick, and Margaret Oden.

Jeremy Do
Parpignol

Jeremy Do, tenor, is excited to be joining Shreveport Opera for their 2025-2026 season as a Resident Artist. Do recently graduated with a Performer’s Diploma and Master’s in music from the Indiana University Jacobs school of music. At Jacobs he performed the roles of Peter Quint (The Turn of the Screw), Anthony (Sweeney Todd), Tybalt (Roméo et Juliette), and Peter Van Daan in the world premiere of Shulamit Ran’s Anne Frank. He was also featured as the tenor soloist in the Jacobs Oratorio Chorus and Concert Orchestra’s performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Do has also worked as a Vocal Fellow with Spoleto Festival USA where he performed as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Dixit Dominus and in the chorus of Spoleto’s production of Samuel Barber’s Vanessa.

Mr. Do's performance is generously sponsored by Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick and Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGowen.

Alan E. Hicks
Stage Director, Scenic and Projection Designer

Alan E. Hicks, stage director and designer, joins Shreveport Opera for the 2025-26 season as General & Artistic Director. Prior to his appointment, Alan directed productions San Diego Opera, Minnesota Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Miami Music Festival, Green Mountain Opera Festival, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, OpernFest Berlin, Austro-American Mozart Academy, Shenandoah Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Iowa, and the University of Houston. Alan has also served on the directing and production staffs of Central City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Michigan Opera Theatre, New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, and Tulsa Opera. In 2013, he was appointed Director of the Emerging Artist Program at Green Mountain Opera Festival, a position he held until the company's closing in 2015. Alan served as Resident Stage Director at San Diego Opera from 2018-2023.

Joe Illick
Conductor

Joe Illick served as the Artistic Director of Fort Worth Opera from 2017 to 2022, having served for fifteen seasons as Music Director and Principal Conductor. He has also served as Artistic Director of the Lake George Opera Festival, as Interim Artistic Director of Greater Miami Opera (now Florida Grand Opera), Music Director of the Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Artistic Director of Shreveport Opera and Principal Guest Conductor of the Teatro Lirico d'Europa. He has also conducted for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Carolina, San Francisco Opera (Merola), Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Augusta Opera, Opera Omaha, Skylight Opera Theater, Eugene Opera, Nevada Opera Theater, Minnesota Opera National Tour, Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Stadttheater Aachen, Vienna Chamber Opera and the Covent Garden Ensemble. His operas include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Stone Soup, Bernadette’s Cozy Book Nook, Ricky, Feel the Tango, UnShakeable, and Stand Up.

Mr. Illick's performance is generously sponsored by Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick.

Sondra Nottingham
Wig & Makeup Designer

"Coming back to Shreveport is like coming home to family," says Sondra, a master wig and makeup designer bringing her expertise to Shreveport Opera's La Bohème. With 30 years of experience, she's a 798 IATSE professional who's collaborated with icons like Jack White, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Allison Janney, Tom Sizemore, Danny Trejo, Keith Carradine, and Quentin Tarantino. Having worked with Shreveport Opera since 2010, Sondra has established herself as a vital part of the company's creative team, designing for productions like Dead Man Walking and Turandot. Her credits include world premieres like The Jonah People with Nashville Symphony and Grammy-winning Elmer Gantry with Nashville Opera, Vinkinsport with Opera Saratoga, and Three Way. She also designed for Mobile Opera's innovative The Flying Dutchman, featuring underwater filming.

Cambria Metzinger
Musetta

Cambria Metzinger, mezzo-soprano, is delighted to return to Shreveport Opera for their 2025–2026 season. Last season, she performed the role of Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen and will return to perform Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème and Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Cambria’s other credits include performances with Opera Santa Barbara—where she was a Chrisman Studio Artist during the 2021–2022 season—and Pacific Lyric Association, where she sang the role of Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus). She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Catherine Cook. While at SFCM, Cambria performed roles including Véronique (Le Docteur Miracle), Teodata (Flavio), Taller Daughter (Proving Up), Amastre (Serse), and both Le tasse chinoise and La libellule (L’enfant et les sortilèges).

Ms. Metzinger's performance is generously sponsored by Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard, Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick, Sherry Thompson, Jasper Titone, and Mark & Shirlee Owen.

Anthony Offerle
Benoît/Alcindoro

Award-winning bass-baritone Anthony Offerle has performed with prestigious companies such as OperaEstate in Rome, Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Opera, Opera Mississippi, and Spoleto Festival USA. His repertoire includes over 30 leading roles, including Don Pasquale, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, and Bartolo in both Il Barbieri di Siviglia and Le Nozze di Figaro. He has also excelled in musical theater, portraying the Major General in The Pirates of Penzance and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. Anthony created the role of Muffeo in the world premiere of The Red Silk Thread and directed The Golem of Prague, which won the 2022 National Opera Association prize. As a concert performer, he has sung in St. Peter's Basilica and Westminster Abbey. Noted for his "rich warm tone" and "compelling singing-actor" performances, Anthony is a two-time Metropolitan Opera auditions regional finalist and teaches at the University of Florida and the Festival of International Opera in Italy.

Mr. Offerle's performance is generously sponsored by Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick, Mike & Eileen Adkins, and Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGowen.

Andrew Payne
Schaunard

Andrew Payne, the Baltimore-based American baritone, has been praised for his “rich baritone voice” and “comedic richness”. During the 2025/26 season, Andrew will be singing the roles of Horace Derwent in Nashville Opera’s The Shining, Schaunard in Shreveport Opera’s La Bohème, and Harlequin in Pacific Northwest Opera’s Ariadne auf Naxos. Recent engagements have included Belcore in L’elisir d'Amore (Opera Neo) and Dancaïre in Carmen (Florida Grand Opera). He won first place in Opera Idol hosted by Sherrill Milnes (2020). Andrew has performed as a principal and young artist with opera companies from around the country such as Florida Grand Opera, Nashville Opera, Central City Opera, Toledo Opera, Shreveport Opera, Opera Neo and Charlottesville Opera. He received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Temple University and a Masters of Music in Voice and Opera from Northwestern University. Currently, he is a student of Jennifer Rowley.

Mr. Payne's performance is generously sponsored by Rev. Carl Rhoads and Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick.

Justin Ramm-Damron
Colline

Justin Ramm-Damron, Bass-Baritone, is excited to return to Shreveport Opera for their 2025-2026 season. Last season he performed the roles of Angelotti and Jailor in Puccini’s Tosca and Zuniga in Bizet’s Carmen. This year he is excited to reprise the roles of Colline in Puccini’s La Bohème and Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Justin has been described as a “Poised and characterful bass-baritone” (Opera Today) and known to give “a menacing performance” (KDHX). He has performed roles with several reputable opera companies throughout the United States including Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Sarasota Opera, Central City Opera, Teatro Grattacielo, Bronx Opera, Tundi Productions, Opera Magnifico, Shakespeare Opera Theatre, New Jersey Lyric Opera, and St Petersburg Opera.

Mr. Ramm-Damron's performance is generously sponsored by Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard and Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick.

Spencer Reichman
Marcello

Spencer Reichman is a talented baritone from Austin, Texas, who has built an impressive career in the opera and concert worlds. He has performed with the Florentine Opera as Biscroma Strappaviscere in Viva la Mamma and with the New Orleans Opera as Sciarrone in Tosca, sang the title role in Zozobra: The Revenge at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and was heard as Le Baron de Pictordu in Cendrillon at Knoxville Opera. He has covered Ophémon in The Anonymous Lover and Orpheus in Aucoin’s Eurydice at Boston Lyric Opera, sang the Huntsman in Rusalka and covered Sacristan in Tosca, both with the Santa Fe Opera, Germont in La Traviata with Shreveport Opera, made a debut as Mr. Ford in Falstaff with Salt Marsh Opera, and sang Paris in Roméo et Juliette with Opera San Antonio. Other role highlights include Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Central City Opera and Shreveport Opera, Sprecher in The Magic Flute with Pensacola Opera, Schaunard in La Bohème with New Orleans Opera Association, and the title role in Gianni Schicchi with Loyola Opera Theatre. Reichman has completed apprenticeships with several opera companies, including the Santa Fe Opera, Opera Saratoga, Florentine Opera, Nashville Opera, Central City Opera, Shreveport Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and the Crested Butte Music Festival. He was thrice named a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and placed 3rd in the Southeast Region in 2022. Reichman holds degrees in voice from Loyola University New Orleans and Texas State University San Marcos.

Mr. Reichman's performance is generously sponsored by Marion Weiss, Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick, and Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard.

Gwenyth Sell
Mimì

Gwenyth Sell, Soprano, is thrilled to be returning to Shreveport Opera as the soprano Resident Artist again. Last season she performed the roles of Micaëla (Carmen), Dater (Speed Dating) and Shepherd Boy (Tosca). Recently, Gwenyth graduated with her Performer Diploma and Master of Music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she studied under the tutelage of Jane Dutton and was awarded two Performer’s Certificates. During her time at Jacobs, Gwenyth performed the roles of Arminda (La Finta Giardiniera), Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Le Prince (Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot), and Georgette (La Rondine). As a Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year Competition Finalist, she was awarded the Dr. & Mrs. Bob Robinson Award. Gwenyth has also been a Young Artist at Cedar Rapids Opera where she performed the role of the Sandman (Too Many Sopranos) and was in the chorus of Tosca.

Ms. Sell's performance is genorously sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Jack & Anita Berg, Marletta Eddy, Mark & Shirlee Owen, Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard, Stephen Roberts & Mitzie Kilpatrick, Elle Scott, Sherry Thompson, and an anonymous donor.

CeCe Sickler
Costume Designer

CeCe Sickler has been working in the costume industry for over 15 years. She freelances as a Costume Designer and is the Costume Shop Manager for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is the owner of Blue Collar Costumes where she builds bespoke costume pieces and rental packages for theatre companies around the country. She wants to make all the things!

Kennedy Wilcher
Lighting Designer

Kennedy Wilcher, lighting designer, is a Louisiana native who graduated of Centenary College of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with Honors. She is a recent M.F.A graduate in Stage Design: Lighting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kennedy is currently the Assistant Professor of Theatre: Scenic and Lighting at her alma mater, Centenary College of Louisiana.

It is my pleasure and my honor to assume the reins of General and Artistic Director at Shreveport Opera. As a Southerner (raised in Mississippi) whose career has taken me all over the world, I feel a great responsibility to maintain the rich artistic tradition that is opera in the South. Most are unaware that the first operatic performances in the United States were not in New York, Boston, or Philadelphia, but in the South (specifically, South Carolina), and it is up to us as an artistic community not just to retain that tradition but to strengthen it. The retiring Steve Aiken leaves very large shoes to fill. I am not replacing him – only following him. As there is no Steve but Steve, some of you will notice changes. Steve always maintained an open line of communication with our patrons and I intend to do the same. Send me an email and let me know what you think. The Arts should reflect the community.

Alan E. Hicks, D.M.A.

2025-26 OFFICERS
Marcia Moffatt, President
Mark Owen, Executive Vice President
Carol Reyenga, Secretary
Tom Simms III, Treasurer
Elizabeth Glassell, Guild President

2025-26 MEMBERS
Lindsey Beckham
La Wanda Blakeney
Bobbie Brasher
Luretta Bybee
Mikey Carlisle
Marletta Eddy
Holly French-Hart
Elizabeth Glassell
Jodie Glorioso
William Lacefield
Alfred Lacy
Michael McCarthy
Mark McCrocklin
Mark Owen
Sybil Patten
Rev. Rothell Price
Toby Quarles
Jan Querbes
JoAnna Robinson
Robert Robinson, DrPH
Lois Rowe
Marshall Shaw
Libby Siskron
Mary Ann Valiulis
Judith Werner

at the Riverview Theater

CREATIVE TEAM

CAST

CHORUS

CHILDREN'S CHORUS

SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY

Michael Butterman, Music Director

PRODUCTION STAFF

SYNOPSIS

ACT I

ACT II

ACT III

ACT IV

ARTISTS' BIOS

(in alphabetical order)

BlazeBlaze (Musetta's pup)

Taylor ComstockRodolfo

Robert CruzChorus Master, Assistant Conductor

Jeremy DoParpignol

Alan E. HicksStage Director, Scenic and Projection Designer

Joe IllickConductor

Sondra NottinghamWig & Makeup Designer

Cambria MetzingerMusetta

Anthony OfferleBenoît/Alcindoro

Andrew PayneSchaunard

Justin Ramm-DamronColline

Spencer ReichmanMarcello

Gwenyth SellMimì

CeCe SicklerCostume Designer

Kennedy WilcherLighting Designer

FROM THE GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

CORPORATE SPONORS

A special thanks for the ongoing support of our Corprate Sponsors.

PATRONS

Diamond

$20,000+

RUBY

$10,000 - $19,999

Emerald

$5,000 - $9,999

Gold

$2,500 - $4,999

Silver

$500 - $2,499

Bronze

$1 - $499

HONORARIA & MEMORIA

*Gifts received between July 1, 2025 and October 25, 2025

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SHREVEPORT OPERA STAFF

SPECIAL THANKS

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