Lighting Designer

In early 1900’s Nagasaki, an American naval officer weds a young Japanese woman. Months later he leaves her, unaware that she is pregnant with his son, and promises to come back. Three years later, she is nearly destitute and shunned by her family for becoming a Christian, but she is steadfast in her conviction that he will return. He does return, with a new American wife, remorseful but ready to take his son back with him. Devastated, Butterfly gives up the child and commits suicide.  Madama Butterfly is based on the play by David Belasco, which was very popular when it premiered in 1900. The play's success reflected the shock waved sent around the world by the American triumph in the Spanish-American war, as a result of which the once mighty Spanish Empire lost Cuba and the Philippines. The young and socially awkward Pinkerton serves as an allegory for the nascent American empire, well meaning but not fully aware of its impact on the ancient cultures with which it came into contact.  This is considered Puccini's dramatically most effective and powerful score.  It is one of the 10 most performed operas in the repertoire.

EPSG:4326

Madama Butterfly

Lucie Stern Community Theatre

"The Earth Speaks 2.0" is an evening-length oddyssey, a multi disciplinary work with dance-music-spoken word raising awareness on climate change. It has been enjoyed and appreciated by audiences across US & Canada and was nominated for the prestigious Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Company Performance. The work reflects our interconnectedness with nature and our impact on climate. It is a story of a woman, who is a metaphor for earth. What she says to all that is happening around her, her whelm and us. A show for all ages and all communities. We have used the rhythm of Bharatanatyam, the raagas of carnatic music interwoven with english spoken word to communicate a very Contemporary Theme on Climate Change; we tell the story of a Woman and her journey Past, Present and even Future. The script draws inspiration from mythology, from stories of the indegineous tribes and even science.

The Earth Speaks 2.0

BRAVA Theater

Considered by many to be Bellini's most beautiful score, La sonnambula was written at a time when stage works involving somnambulism (sleepwalking) where all the rage in Paris.  As was often the case during this period, the work was written with a specific singer in mind, in this case, the legendary soprano Giuditta Pasta.

The story takes placec in a Swiss village. Amina is preparing to marry Elvino. Lisa, who is also in love with Elvino, resents Amina and the joyful celebrations taking place in the village on the occasion of their marriage.  Alesio is interested in Lisa but she rejects him.  A stranger arrives as the notary is in the process of marrying Elvino and Amina.

Danielle Ferguson

Lighting Designer

Events

Upcoming events

14 - 23 Feb, 2025

La Sonnambula · West Bay Opera

Past events

13 - 22 Oct, 2023

Madama Butterfly · West Bay Opera

Jun 18, 2023

The Earth Speaks 2.0 · San Francisco International Arts Festival

About

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