American stage director Alison Moritz has quickly garnered a reputation for her innovative interpretations of the classic repertoire and her equally incisive takes on contemporary opera. Her recent projects have been lauded as “raw, funny, surreal, and disarmingly human” and “elegantly sexy” by Opera News and as “enchantingly cheeky” by The Washington Post. Current projects include house directing debuts at Edmonton Opera (Tosca) and the Atlanta Opera (Candide), and a return to Austin Opera (Les pecheurs de perles).

View MoreView Less

Two time “Bessie Award” winner, Hope Boykin was an original member of Complexions, danced with Philadanco, and most recently completed her 20th and final year with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Boykin has choreographed for numerous dance companies including Philadanco, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Minnesota Dance Theater, Ballet X, Ballet Black of London, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, and has created three works for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

View MoreView Less

Recognized worldwide for his natural ease and extraordinary collaborative spirit, American conductor James Gaffigan has attracted international attention for his equitable prowess as a conductor of both symphony orchestras and opera. He is the newly appointed General Music Director of Komische Oper Berlin and the Music Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia. He serves as Principal Guest Conductor of both the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera and is Music Director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra.

View MoreView Less

Aaron M. Copp, Lighting and Scenic Designer
Marcella Barbeau, Associate Lighting Designer
Andrew Cavanaugh Holland, Associate Scenic Designer
Lynly A. Saunders, Costume Designer
Paul Bevan, Sound Designer
Kathy Fabian, Props Designer
Kate Lumpkin, CSA, Casting Director
Sean Corcoran, Stage Manager
Stephen Bubniak, Assistant Stage Manager
Diane Lin, Assistant Stage Manager
Jonathan King, Rehearsal Pianist
Alan Naylor, Surtitles
Nick Hersh, Associate Conductor and Musical Advisor
Martina Viadana, Dance Captain
Nigel Boon, Cassandra Mueller, Executive Producers
Krysta Cihi, Kathryn Banks, Producers

Called “a voice for this historic moment” (Washington Post), Grammy^®–nominated baritone Will Liverman is the recipient of the 2022 Beverly Sills Artist Award by The Metropolitan Opera. He opened the Met’s 2021-22 season in a celebrated “breakout performance” (New York Times) as Charles in Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Following Fire’s success, the Met announced that Liverman will star in Anthony Davis’ X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X. 

View MoreView Less

The Heritage Signature Chorale is committed to preserving, at the highest possible level, the performance tradition of African-American choral music, especially the Negro Spiritual; to elevating the African-American singer and composer in all musical genres; and to bringing a unique interpretation of classical music from America, Europe and other regions of the world.

View MoreView Less

Children’s Chorus of Washington (CCW) provides outstanding music education and performance opportunities for children in grades K-12 in the nation’s capital region, regardless of background, economic status, or prior experience. Through its auditioned ensembles and chorus classes CCW fosters students’ growth as musicians and leaders by emphasizing artistic excellence, personal responsibility, and working together toward a common goal.

View MoreView Less

The 2024–2025 season is the National Symphony Orchestra’s 94th season and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda’s eighth season. Since its founding in 1931, the NSO has been committed to performances that enrich the lives of its audience and community members. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it has performed since the Center opened in 1971. The NSO participates in events of national and international importance, including the annual nationally televised concerts on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, live-streamed performances on medici.tv, and local radio broadcasts on WETA 90.9 FM.

View MoreView Less

Meroë Khalia Adeeb’s favorite roles performed are Violetta in La traviata and Mimì in La bohème, both performed under the baton of Maestro Vlad Iftinka at Tri-Cities Opera, as well as Clara in Porgy and Bess under the baton of Maestro John Demain and the direction of Francesca Zambello at the Glimmerglass Festival. Other notable performances include Nannetta in Falstaff, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and Gilda in Rigoletto.

A 2022 BTAA award nominee (Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ragtime), recipient of the 2021 Actors Equity Foundation Roger Sturtevant Award, and a 2021 Drama League Award nominee (Breathing Free), Curtis Bannister has been lauded by the New York Times as “a tenor of impressive stamina.” Recent credits include the parts of Florestan (Fidelio), Marquis (Dickinson on Apple TV+), Juror #8 (premiere musical adaptation of 12 Angry Men), Ragotski (Candide), Pirelli (Sweeny Todd), and Sid Sorokin (The Pajama Game).

Allison Blackwell has appeared on Broadway in A Night With Janis Joplin as Aretha Franklin, Pretty Woman: The Musical as Violetta, Porgy and Bess, and Disney’s The Lion King. Allison was part of the Emmy Award^®–winning production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center), Guys and Dolls at Carnegie Hall, and Ragtime at David Geffen Hall. She made her Jazz at Lincoln Center debut this past June celebrating the music of Cole Porter. She has also been a guest soloist with such orchestras as The New York Pops, The Boston Pops, The Philly Pops, The Houston Symphony and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Recently, bass Matt Boehler made his Florida Grand Opera debut in Rigoletto, his Austin Opera debut in Fidelio, and returned to Des Moines Metro Opera in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His upcoming engagements in the 2022–2023 season include Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Madison Opera and appearances with National Symphony Orchestra in Bernstein’s MASS and with Madison Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Ally Bonino is thrilled to be making her Kennedy Center debut. Bonino most recently originated the role of Lucy Burns in the world premiere of Suffs at The Public Theater. Past credits include Myths & Hymns, Dogfight, Merrily We Roll Along, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch on Netflix. Keep in touch on Instagram at @allybo123 and at www.allybonino.com.

Nick Rashad Burroughs has been seen on Broadway in the original cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical as Ike Turner, as well as in Kinky Boots, King Kong Alive on Broadway, and the national tour of Something Rotten making history as the first black man to play the role of Shakespeare. He was awarded a Pop Smash Radio Music Award for Best Male Video for his music video “Crazy” from his album Groove Machine. Nick received a Broadway World Award for his portrayal of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Mexican mezzo-soprano Sishel Claverie enjoys a versatile career in opera, concert works, new music, and multidisciplinary collaborations. She has been involved in many world premieres, including HGO’s El Milagro del Recuerdo, Ted Rosenthal’s jazz opera Dear Erich with the New York City Opera, and Jake Landau’s latest opera Pietá. Sishel appeared as Carmen/Lola in the short film Chinese Laundry, and, later this year, she’ll be seen as Gloria in the video opera series Everything for Dawn by Experiments in Opera.

Bobby Conte recently starred in the Tony Award®–winning Broadway revival of George Furth & Stephen Sondheim’s Company. He made his Broadway debut originating the role of Calogero in A Bronx Tale directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks. Film and TV credits include If Beale Street Could Talk, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Madam Secretary, and The Code.

Micaela Diamond made her Broadway debut as Babe in The Cher Show, a role she auditioned for just weeks after graduating high school.  She recently appeared in the The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical at the Kennedy Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival’s production Row, and Ethan Coen’s A Play Is A Poem. She made her television debut in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, appearing in the ensemble and understudying Sara Bareilles. You can follow her at @micaela_diamond.

As seen in Dave Malloy’s hit off-Broadway musical, Octet, as Toby (Drama Desk Ensemble Award Recipient) and as a soloist in NBC’s Emmy Award®–winning, Grammy Award®–nominated Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Select regional credits include Shakespeare’s As You Like It as Orlando at Milwaukee Reparatory Theater, Che in Evita at Asolo Repertory, and Usnavi in In the Heights at the Ordway Center.

Matt Rodin believes that love is who we are. He’s a queer singer-songwriter and multi-passionate creator. He recently starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Milwaukee Repertory Theater and released his first solo album, Matt Rodin: Live at Home. He’s thrilled to be making his Kennedy Center debut in MASS. He's grateful for his family, friends, Kate, and the entire MASS team, and especially for his fiancé, Sam, and their dog, Penny.

Mike Wartella was most recently seen starring as Dion DiMucci in the pre-Broadway engagement of The Wanderer at Paper Mill Playhouse. Other credits include Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hugo in Tuck Everlasting, Boq in Wicked. Off-Broadway Mike has been seen in RENT at New World Stages, The Kid with The New Group, Seussical with Theaterworks USA, and Oliver Twist with TFANA. His debut album, entitled Polarity, was released this year and can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and all major streaming platforms. Twitter/Instagram: @mikewartella

Helen Hayes Award–winning actress and 2022 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, Rayanne Gonzales has appeared on Broadway in Phantom of the Opera, and in film and television in In the Heights and The Sound of Music Live. Select credits include the world premiere of Mystic Pizza at Ogunquit Playhouse, Ragtime, A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre, In the Heights at Olney Theatre Center, Walnut Street, and Sacramento Music Circus, Carousel, the world premiere of Destiny of Desire at Arena Stage, and most recently, Daphne’s Dive at Signature Theatre.

Jade Jones is an actor, stage performer, and Rap artist who has garnered international recognition as Belle in Beauty and The Beast at Olney Theatre Center. She was recently seen as Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins and in the ABC’s 20th anniversary special presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Jones is a native of the D.C. area and has performed at Ford’s Theater, Round House, and Shakespeare Theatre. Television credits include Stevie in NBC’s Chicago P.D.

Tracy Lynn Olivera has made her home and career in the D.C. area for the past 25 years. She has appeared at the Kennedy Center in the 2002 Sondheim Festival, multiple family shows, and the 2009 pre-Broadway Ragtime revival. She also made her Broadway debut in the same show. Tracy is a two-time Helen Hayes Award–winner, and has appeared at many local theatres including Signature, Olney, Arena, and Ford’s. She is a lecturer at Catholic University.

Tenor Elliott Paige of Hampton, Virginia most recently performed with Detroit Opera in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, where he will continue his role in the fall with Opera Omaha. Other credits include What Lies Beneath with On Site Opera and The Central Park Five with the Portland Opera. In previous years, he has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, at the Glimmerglass Festival, and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

The Kennedy Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences sent Scott out on two 32-city tours of The Red Badge of Courage and The Emperor’s New Clothes. He has performed on most of the professional stages in Washington, D.C. and has portrayed historical characters, including George Washington, Peter the Great, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR’s Attorney General, Judge Francis Biddle. Recently, he portrayed Congressman Thaddeus Stevens in an educational film for San Francisco-based StoryWorks Theatre.

In the world-premiere of Josephine, “... the afternoon belonged to Melissa Wimbish, who was creating the role of Josephine Baker ... Vocally stunning and theatrically riveting, Wimbish effortlessly held the audience in her hand throughout this one-woman show,” (Washington Post). Upon winning first place at the NATS National Competition for song and operatic repertoire, Wimbish made her Carnegie Hall recital debut. Career highlights include Mysteries of the Macabre with Baltimore Symphony, Camelot with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Carmina Burana with Washington Ballet, and her National Sawdust debut in Britten’s Les Illuminations.

Bass-baritone William Socolof was awarded first prize in the Young Concert Artists 2020 International Auditions. A Tanglewood Fellow, Socolof premiered Nico Muhly’s “Good Night” in Emanuel Ax’s Schubert’s Summer Journey and was a soloist in the 2018 premiere of Michael Gandolfi’s In America. He has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and appeared in The Mother of Us All in collaboration with MetLiveArts, the Juilliard School, and the New York Philharmonic.

Kendall Dennis has performed in several productions including Hairspray and the Nutcracker. For eleven years, Kendall trained with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and was part of DADA’s Ensemble Company. She has performed with artists including Misty Copeland, Mariah Carey, Common, and Jill Scott and has performed at the 62nd Grammy Awards® and the White House. Dennis has been part of several projects with Hope Boykin Dance, including the on-stage production The Other Side.

Davon Farmer, originally born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, has been exploring the intricacies of dance since he was a child. These environments instilled a constant search for diversity of experience and commitment to creating a multi-layered dance career. He has studied ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and musical theater. Farmer earned his BFA in dance at the University of California. He has worked on shows including In the Heights, Pippin, Hairspray, and Mamma Mia.

Cameron Harris is a third-year dance major from Richmond, Virginia pursuing her BFA at Howard University. In 2019, she was a member of the inaugural class of the Kennedy Center’s Dance Lab, led by Hope Boykin. In the summers of 2021 and 2022, she attended Earl Moseley’s Institute of the Arts Summer Intensive program. Harris performed under the direction of Hope Boykin and Jaqueline Woodson in The Other Side at the Kennedy Center. She continues to perform with Hope Boykin Dance.

Zachary Jeppsen, alumni of The Chicago Academy for the Arts, is currently studying dance at the Juilliard School and will complete his BFA in the spring of 2023. His roots are in Whitewater, Wisconsin and Houston, Texas. He has performed works including “Divergence of Angels” by Martha Graham, “Escapades” by Alvin Ailey, and “Crossing the Rubicon” by Donald McKayle. He is thrilled to be working with Hope Boykin Dance.

Lay'la K. Rogers received a BFA in dance performance and choreography at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2018. Rogers went on to New York University, where she earned a MA/MFA dual degree in 2021. She emerged as a professional committed to creating a dance culture founded on anti-racism and inclusivity. Rogers worked as the inaugural Rights and Arts Management Associate for the Merce Cunningham Trust and dances professionally throughout New York City, most recently with HopeBoykinDance.

Born in Washington, D.C., Amina Vargas began her dance training with Assane Konte at Kankouran West African Dance Company. She attended The Washington School of Ballet at THEARC, and in 2017 became an alumna of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Vargas went on to train at The Ailey School as an Ailey/Fordham BFA and Scholarship Program student. Vargas was featured in the Netflix series Hit & Runand represented The Ailey School at the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has performed works by Hope Boykin, Kevin Iega Jeff, Brice Mousset, and Samantha Figgins.

Born in Milan, Italy, Martina Viandana began her training at the Lake Placid School of Ballet before attending The Ailey School. She graduated from the Scholarship Program in 2020 and studied abroad at the London Contemporary Dance School. Viandana received a BA in political science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has worked with choreographers such as Hope Boykin, Mathew Rushing, Brice Mousset, Earl Mosley, and Jessica Castro. She was a member of the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company and was recently associate choreographer of the Bucks County Playhouse production of Kinky Boots.

Riché Williams, born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, is a dance major at Howard University. She began her training at Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing Arts and is a 2019 alumna of Savannah Arts Academy. She has performed in works by choreographers such as Hope Boykin, Tommie Waheed Evans, Maleek Washington, and Janice Rosario. In 2022, Williams was given the incredible opportunity to work with HopeBoykinDance as a part of the premier of The Other Side. She has also completed studies at Deeply Rooted, Steps on Broadway, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Read More

Karlo Neumann Caragol
Evelyn Goldin
Abraham Latner