About the Opera

Thanks to a dynamic, all-female creative team, the spotlight will finally shine on Katharine Wright, sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright, through Finding Wright.

This world premiere opera started with a visit to the Dayton Woodland Cemetery. In 2014, librettist Andrea Fellows Fineberg and then stage director (now Artistic Director) Kathleen Clawson happened upon the grave of the Wright Brothers. Laid to rest between them was a relatively unknown–Katharine Wright.

Struck by the intrigue of this long-forgotten sister, Fellows Fineberg and Clawson were determined to learn more about her life. On their quest to uncover more about Katharine, they discovered that her life lent itself naturally to an operatic format. 

Not uncommon for inventors, Wilbur and Orville weren’t able to easily articulate the genius of their work so ordinary people could understand it. Katharine stepped in to champion their work and helped them become household names worldwide. Being an advocate for their work came with a cost. Katharine had to put aside her own aspirations, including finding love, on hold while she supported her brothers.

This new world premiere opera traces the parallel narratives of Katharine Wright, sister of Orville and Wilbur, and Charlotte (“Charlie”) Tyler, a 21st-century aerospace engineer grieving her stalling career and the recent loss of her husband. Through learning about Katharine’s life, Charlie finds the inspiration she needs to overcome her struggles.

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Supers

Julia Brosas

Natalie Corral

Tom Downs

Julio Soto

Sharon Williamson

David Zelmon

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Opera Series Sponsors