She Who Dared

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She Who Dared
Premiere
June 3, 2025
Studebaker Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

She Who Dared is an American opera written and composed by Jasmine Arielle Barnes and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton. The opera follows seven women in the U.S. civil rights movement: Aurelia Browder, Claudette Colvin, Susie McDonald, Rosa Parks, Jeanetta Reese, Jo Ann Robinson, and Mary Louise Smith. It was commissioned by American Lyric Theater[1][2] and premiered on June 3, 2025 at the Chicago Opera Theater, in the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois.[3][1]

The work is the duo's first full length opera,[4] and is thought to be the first professionally-produced opera written by two Black women.[3] It combines classical music with "soul, gospel and protest music".[3][5] The work has an all-Black cast.[6]

Mouton was inspired to write the opera after learning she was related to Aurelia Browder.[3][4] The creative duo began working on the piece in 2022.[5] Chicago Opera Theater received an NEA grant in the amount of $30,000 for the world premiere production.[4][7]

Cast

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Source[6]

Role 2025 premiere
Aurelia Browder Chrystal E. Willams
Claudette Colvin Jasmine Habersham
Susie McDonald Leah Dexter
Rosa Parks Jacqueline Echols
Jeanetta Reese Cierra Byrd
Jo Ann Robinson Deborah Nansteel
Mary Louise Smith Lindsey Reynolds

References

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  1. ^ a b Camacho, Oliver (2025-05-24). "On She Who Dared with Jasmine Barnes and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton". WFMT. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  2. ^ Cook, Amanda (2025-05-29). "In "She Who Dared," Jasmine Barnes and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton Center the Overlooked Women of the Montgomery Bus Boycott". I CARE IF YOU LISTEN. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
  3. ^ a b c d Sandler, Teddy (2025-06-04). "Chicago Opera Theater's "She Who Dared" Tells the Story of Pivotal Figures in Black Liberation". New City Stage. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  4. ^ a b c "New opera honors the Black women of the Civil Rights Movement". Chicago Sun-Times. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  5. ^ a b Hawkins, Shelby (2025-05-28). "'She Who Dared' Opera Showcases Black Female Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement". WTTW News. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  6. ^ a b Arvia, Janet (2025-05-09). "'She Who Dared' Opera Sings the Praises of Bold Black Women". Rebellious Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  7. ^ "Here are all the Chicago arts organizations that won coveted 2025 NEA grants". WBEZ. 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-06-04.