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Chicago Opera Theater

Conductor

Conductor (+3)

Michael Ellis Ingram

Stage director

Timothy Douglas

Soprano (+2)

Lindsey Reynolds

Mary Louise Smith

Classmate

Mezzo-soprano (+1)

Cierra Byrd

Judge

Jeanetta Reese

Mezzo-soprano (+2)

Leah Dexter

Susie “mama Sue” Macdonald

Soprano (+1)

Jacqueline Echols

Prosecution Attorney

Rosa Parks

Chrystal E Williams

Aurelia Browder

Jasmine Habersham

Claudette Colvin

Studebaker Theater

Deborah Nansteel

Jo Ann Robinson

Fred Gray

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS?

Everyone has heard of Rosa Parks, but she wasn’t the first to refuse to move. She Who Dared recenters the spotlight on the courageous women who helped desegregate the Montgomery bus system in the 1950s. These Civil Rights pioneers pay homage to the quiet struggle for justice that has often gone unknown – further amplifying the effects of the historic case of Browder V Gayle. While often riotous and sometimes hilarious, these women demonstrate how everyday people have the power to challenge the systems around them and affect tangible change – if only they dare. 

She Who Dared will feature sopranos Jasmine Habersham, Jacqueline Echols, Lindsey Reynolds, and mezzo sopranos Chrystal E. Williams, Jazmine Olwalia, Leah Dexter, and Cierra Byrd.  Conductor Michael Ellis Ingram and director Timothy Douglas make their COT debuts at the helm of the world premiere production.

She Who Dared, Barnes, J. A.

Cast

Mary Louise Smith

Classmate

Judge

Jeanetta Reese

Susie “mama Sue” Macdonald

Prosecution Attorney

Rosa Parks

Aurelia Browder

Claudette Colvin

Jo Ann Robinson

Fred Gray

Crew

Stage director

Conductor

Instrumentation

Producer

Producer

Ensemble

Co-Producer

Photos

About

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Production synopsis