In the world of opera, accessibility and inclusivity are often overlooked. However, New York’s first disability-affirmative opera company Opera Praktikos (OPrak) is on a mission to change that. We sat down with co-founder of OPrak/librettist of Fluffernutter, Marianna Mott Newirth, and “gorgeous-voiced” (Broadway World) mezzo-soprano with cerebral palsy, Hailey McAvoy, to discuss their upcoming performances There Will Be Cake, A Dessert-Inspired Mono-Opera, where McAvoy will be singing the role of Julia Child, and the innovative ways they are making opera accessible to all.
Join the Experience
OPrak’s performances of Fluffernutter (world premiere) and Bon Appetit! will take place on December 12, 13, and 14, with a live-streamed broadcast on the final day. Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, ensuring that the performances are accessible to all. For those who cannot attend in person, the live stream offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of OPrak’s productions from the comfort of home.
The Sweet Details: Cake and Fluffernutter Bites
One of the first questions on everyone’s mind after the press release in October was, there’s cake? OPrak’s plan is to offer both chocolate and vanilla cake at the performances, giving attendees the option to enjoy one or both flavors. They are also exploring partnerships with disability-affirmative bakeries in New York City to potentially sponsor the cakes. For now, OPrak is preparing to bake the delicious sheet cakes themselves. Alongside the cake, fluffernutter bites will be served, adding a nostalgic touch to the event.
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Fluffernutter: A Taste of Childhood and Family
The opera Fluffernutter tells the story of a woman tasked with making lasagna for a family gathering despite not knowing how to cook. Through her attempt, she reminisces about her childhood and her mother, making the opera a heartfelt memory piece that also touches on adulting and personal growth. The piece was composed by Spicer Carr, a queer, autistic composer with words by Marianna Mott Newirth. The singer of Flutternutter, Shanley Horowitz, mezzo soprano, does not identify as disabled, but OPrak’s mission is to include both disabled and non-disabled artists, fostering an environment where everyone’s strengths are recognized and valued.
A Journey of Inspiration and Creation
The inspiration for Fluffernutter was born during Mott Newirth’s librettist training intensive with Really Spicy Opera’s Aria Institute where participants were challenged to write an aria about joy. Mott Newirth, who is dyslexic, created an aria centered around the nostalgic joy around these marshmallow fluff sandwiches during this intensive. This aria resonated so well with the food theme of Bon Appetit! by Lee Hoiby that it became the foundation for a full opera to pair with it for this performance.
Pairing Opera with a Space
OPrak’s journey of creating Fluffernutter to pair with Bon Appetit! began with a unique vision. Inspired by the idea of performing in unconventional spaces, OPrak’s Mott Neworth imagined staging an opera in a grocery store. This led to the discovery of Bon Appetit!, an opera based on Julia Child, which fit perfectly with their vision. While the intial idea of performing at Trader Joe’s didn’t materialize, they found an ideal venue at Asylum NYC, where they will be performing at the bar vs. the stage to give the ambiance reminiscent of Julia Child’s kitchen.
Accessibility at the Core
Accessibility is a cornerstone of OPrak’s mission. The chosen venue, Asylum NYC, is highly accessible, featuring a ramp entrance and ADA-compliant restrooms. The seating is flexible, allowing the space to be adapted for wheelchair users and others with mobility needs. The intimate setting has a capacity of 40 people, ensuring that every performance is immersive and personal. Mott Newirth says, “We specifically chose a venue that has a big ramp. Everybody walks up the ramp to come in. There’s no separate side entrance. Everybody is coming into the same space in the same way.”
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Looking Ahead: The Spoons Cycle
OPrak’s future plans include producing a new work called The Spoons Cycle, inspired by Spoon Theory, which illustrates the limited energy available to those with varying disabilities. They plan to commission 10 to 12 songs from composers and writers, creating a song cycle that highlights people’s experiences with their spoons. The applications for this project are expected to be announced in early spring, with performances tentatively planned for July and October, aligning with Disability Pride Month in July and other relevant observances in October.
Empowering Disabled Artists
OPrak is actively seeking disabled artists to join their productions. They aim to create an environment where artists feel supported and valued, free from the burden of constantly proving their abilities. By explicitly stating their commitment to inclusivity, OPrak hopes to reassure disabled artists that their talents are recognized and celebrated.
Hailey McAvoy
As McAvoy puts it, “I think there are a lot of people with disabilities who in fact emphatically believe that they can sing opera. And it’s not a question of whether or not they believe they can do it, but rather a question of whether there’s the infrastructure within the industry to support them while they do it. And so to have that support explicitly named from the outset, I think it’s really valuable because it gives the artists a sense of reassurance and a sense of peace that this is not going to be a space where you actually have to prove again and again that actually you can do this.”
A Call to Action
Oprak’s work is a clarion call for the opera industry to embrace inclusivity and accessibility. By integrating these values into their productions, OPrak is not only creating opportunities for disabled artists but also enriching the cultural landscape with diverse and authentic stories. Their dedication to joy, connection, and creativity sets a new standard for what opera can and should be.
For more information and to support OPrak’s mission, visit their website, www.operapraktikos.org, and join the movement towards a more inclusive and accessible opera experience.
