The Dayton Opera is thrilled to announce a world-premiere opera created and presented by a team of four of the most talented individuals in today’s opera world, all of whom just happen to be women! The story was sparked as librettist Andrea Fellows Fineberg and stage director Kathleen Clawson uncovered a unique gem in Dayton’s past right in the middle of Dayton’s Woodlawn Cemetery. Finding Wright is the story of human connection and emotion, centering on the life of Katharine Wright, sister of two of the most famous Wrights of Dayton, and in fact, the world: brothers of flight Orville and Wilbur Wright. With music by award-winning composer Laura Kaminsky, performed by the Dayton Philharmonic under the direction of conductor Susanne Sheston, Finding Wright is the first-ever full-length opera commissioned for and presented by Dayton Opera.

Cast

Charlie Tyler – Amanda Lynn Bottoms*, mezzo-soprano
Katharine Wright – Blythe Gaissert*
Harry Haskell – Sean Anderson*, baritone
Orville Wright – Dominic Armstrong, tenor
Wilbur Wright – Christian Sanders*, tenor
Katie Wright – Maya Vansuch, soprano
Isabelle Cummings Haskell – Grace Kahl*, soprano
Bishop Milton Wright – Kenneth Shaw, bass
Ann Gideon – Ryu-Kyung Kim, mezzo-soprano
Mike – Bradley R. Mattingly, baritone

Artistic Team

Composer – Laura Kaminsky*
Librettist – Andrea Fellows Fineberg
Conductor – Susanne Sheston*
Stage Director/Dramaturg – Kathleen Clawson
Rehearsal Accompanist/Coach – Kathleen Kelly*
Artistic Advisor – Thomas Bankston

Production Team

Production Stage Manager – Cindy Knight*
Assistant Stage Manager – Paul Smith*
Assistant Stage Manager – Jillian Stacer*
Scenic Designer – Pam Knauert Lavarnway
Lighting Designer – John Rensel
Props Coordinator – John Lavarnway
Costume Designer – D. Bartlett Blair
Wig/Makeup Designer – Cass Brake
Wig/Makeup Designer – Tom Venditelli
Surtitle Caller – Linda Lally

*Denotes Dayton Opera Debut