The Threepenny Opera Production, 3/24-27/22

UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

PACIFIC OPERA THEATRE PRESENTS

The Threepenny Opera

By Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill In collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann Based on “The Beggar’s Opera” by John Gay English translation by Michael Feingold Original Orchestrations by Kurt Weill STAGE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER CONDUCTOR/MUSIC DIRECTOR James Haffner

Eric Dudley

REHEARSAL PIANIST/ ASST. MUSIC DIRECTOR Carl Pantle

PRODUCTION MANAGER/ SOUND DESIGNER James Gonzales

COSTUME DESIGN Lalena Vigil Hutton

LIGHTING DESIGN Don Myers

SCENIC DESIGN Brian Johnson

MAKE-UP & HAIR DESIGN Anthony Allen

STAGE MANAGERS Charlotte Han Finley Shields

ASST. STAGE MANAGERS Samantha Perrego Jordan Bell Souza

REHEARSAL PIANIST Diego Bustamante

INTIMACY DIRECTOR Lauren Carlton

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Susan Perez

WARDROBE Andrea Reposa

Presented under license from European American Music Corporation, on behalf of The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, Inc. and the Brecht Heirs

The Threepenny Opera was first performed at the Theater am Schiffbauerdam, Berlin, on August 31, 1928.

This translation was first performed at the National Theatre, Washington, D.C., on September 9, 1989, began previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York, on October 19, and received its official Broadway premiere on November 5, 1989.

The Company

(in order of apperance) Streetsinger…..............……………...……………….……………...……..Joshua Cabardo Jenny Diver………………………………………………………...………...Brylan Finley Peachum……………………………………………………………………...Joshua Porter Filch............………………………………………………………….…Michael Megenney Mrs. Peachum…………………………………………………………………...Elyse Coty Polly……………...…………………………………………………………….Jordan Yang Macheath………………………………………………………………………….Filo Ebid Tiger Brown………………………………………………………………....Riley Brearton Lucy………………………………………………………………………..Juliette Frediere Reverend Kimball………………………………………………………....…….Ryan Vang Constable Smith……………………………………….…………………….Anthony Silva Macheath’s Gang Matt of the Mint……………………………………………………………Joshua Cabardo Jimmy…………………………………………..………………………Michael Megenney Walt Dreary………………..……………………………………………….Dion Nickelson Sawtooth Bob……………………………………………………………….Mateus Barioni Crook-Finger Jack….…………………………………………………………….Leo Hearl Ed…………………………………………………………………………………Eli Bocks The Ladies Jenny Diver………………..…………………………………………………Brylan Finley Betty……..…………………………………………………………..Hanna Grossenbacher Dolly…………………………………………....…………………………….Rose Dickson Molly……………………………...………………………………………………Ria Patel Vixen………………………………………………………...………………..Lily Tumbale Suky Tawdry…………………………………………….……………………..Mia Janosik Diana Trapes…………….............…………………………………………..Alexis Bondoc Kitty………………………………………………….………………………Mara Baldwin Honey…………………….…………………………....…………………….Elaine Hanley

PACIFIC OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA Eric Dudley, conductor Flute

Trumpet

Double Bass

Phoenix Farris

Kylie Ward

Noah Gonzales

Bassoon

Ainsley Berryhill

Piano

Ella Hebrard

Trombone

Carl Pantle

Clarinet

Matthew Miramontes

Keyboards

Arturo Garcia

Percussion

Diego Bustamante

Saxophone

Jonathan Latta †

James Scott

Cello

Michael De Lashmutt

Hasina Torres

† Faculty Member

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION STAFF Stage Director/Producer................................................................................................................................................James Haffner Conductor/Music Director.................................................................................................................................................Eric Dudley Asst. Music Director/Piano…………………………………………............…………………………………………….Carl Pantle Production Manager……………………………………………………………...........……………………………James Gonzales Costume Designer.................................................................................................................................................Lalena Vigil Hutton Lighting Designer...............................................................................................................................................................Don Myers Scenic Designer....................................................................................................................................................Brian Scott Johnson Make-up/Hair Designer................................................................................................................................................Anthony Allen Sound Designer………………………..............……………………………………………………………………James Gonzales Intimacy Director ………………………..........………………………………………………….....……………… Lauren Carlton Rehearsal Accompanist/Keyboards……................................................................................................................Diego Bustamante Stage Managers..............................................................................................................................................................Charlotte Han Finley Shields Asst. Stage Managers………….........…………………………………………………………………………….Samantha Perrego Jordan Bell Souza Assistant Director…………………………………………………………………….................………………………Susan Perez Stitcher..............................................................................................................................................................................Bessie Vigil Properties....................................................................................................................................................................George Spelvin Wardrobe…………………………………………………………………………………………………….............Andrea Reposa Crew……………………………………………………………………………………………………………............…Fred Avila Light Board Operator……………………………………………………………………………………….......... James Gonzales Sound Board Operator………………………………………………………….…………………………............. Ravyn Stanford

THE THREEPENNY OPERA Musical Numbers ACT ONE OVERTURE

ORCHESTRA

BALLAD OF MACK THE KNIFE

BALLAD SINGER

PEACHUM’S MORNING HYMN WHY CAN’T THEY SONG

MR. PEACHUM MR. & MRS. PEACHUM

WEDDING SONG

GANG

PIRATE JENNY

POLLY

SOLDIERS’ SONG

MACHEATH & BROWN

WEDDING SONG (REPRISE) LOVE SONG

MACHEATH & POLLY

BARBARA SONG FIRST THREEPENNY FINALE

GANG POLLY

POLLY, MR. & MRS. PEACHUM

- INTERMISSION -

ACT TWO MELODRAMA & POLLY’S SONG

MACHEATH & POLLY

BALLAD OF THE PRISONER OF SEXUALITY PIMP’S BALLAD (TANGO)

MRS. PEACHUM MACHEATH & JENNY

BALLAD OF LIVING IN STYLE

MACHEATH

JEALOUSY DUET SECOND THREEPENNY FINALE

LUCY & POLLY MACHEATH, MRS. PEACHUM, CHORUS

ACT THREE SONG OF FUTILITY

MR. PEACHUM

SOLOMON’S SONG

JENNY

CALL FROM THE GRAVE

MACHEATH

EPITAPH

MACHEATH

MARCH TO THE GALLOWS

ORCHESTRA

THIRD THREEPENNY FINALE

ENTIRE COMPANY

Pacific Opera Theatre is the resident student opera ensemble at University of the Pacific. The program boasts a long history of successfully training singeractors for the professional arena.

MEET THE ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION STAFF Diego Bustamante, from Chico, CA, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, where he studied with professor Frank Wiens and Dr. Sonia Leong. He has been an active performer throughout California, appearing as a solo artist, chamber musician, collaborative pianist, and concerto soloist. Notable appearances include performing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D Minor with the North State Symphony and the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #1 with the UOP Symphony Orchestra. While at UOP, he was bestowed the Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award, which is presented to one conservatory student each year. In addition to being a classical musician, he is also an active ragtime pianist and a regular performer at the West Coast Ragtime Festival. He is currently teaching piano at Sayla Music Academy in Lodi, and Pacific Community Music School at the UOP campus. In fall 2022, he will begin his graduate studies at the Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey in a dual master’s program for piano pedagogy and performance. Here, he plans to study with Dr. James Goldsworthy. Aside from his passion for music, he is also an avid birder and overall nature enthusiast.

Lauren Carlton is an actor, director, mezzo-soprano, and stage intimacy director. She is currently a Visiting Lecturer of Opera Studies at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Prior to her time at Lawrence, she was an Assistant Professor of Theatre and the Department of Theatre Program Director at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. Her research interests are in theatrical intimacy choreography and pedagogy, early modern staging conditions, Jane Drake Brody’s SuperScenes in rehearsal, and gender roles in Shakespeare and subsequent operatic adaptations. She has presented on these topics at the Blackfriars Conference at the American Shakespeare Center, the National Opera Association National Conference, the Annual Conference on the Advancement of Women at Texas Tech University, and elsewhere. As an actor and classical singer, Lauren has appeared with Huntsville Shakespeare, Rocket City Shakespeare, the Athenian Players, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater, Greensboro Light Opera and Song, Greensboro Opera, Eastern Music Festival, Astoria Music Festival, Texas Tech University School of Theatre and Dance, University of Alabama Opera Theatre, and Ars Nova School of the Arts in Huntsville, AL among others. Lauren holds an MFA in Theatre Performance and Pedagogy with a focus in Directing from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and a BA in Journalism with a self-designed minor in Opera Performance from the University of Alabama. During her time at TTU she taught Into to Acting for non-majors and Musical Theatre Literature and Musical Theatre History to BFA students as a Graduate Part Time Instructor. Equally comfortable in the world of opera, Lauren appeared in four seasons with the University of Alabama Opera Theatre under the direction of Dr. Paul Houghtaling while at UA. Favorite UAOT credits include: Poppett the Cat in Britten’s Paul Bunyan, Plucky/Lauren in the world premiere of Amir Zaheri’s musical Over Dinner, Lua in the world premiere of Zaheri’s Look Upon These Faces, and Madame Kirsten in the Alabama premiere of Dan Shore’s The Beautiful Bridegroom. She is the 2012 winner of the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs Women’s Collegiate Voice Auditions and the 2012 MTNA Young Artist Voice Competition for the state of Alabama. She has performed recitals across the state in Mobile, Greensboro, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Huntsville. She has directed opera as an Apprentice Stage Director at Druid City Opera Workshop and as Assistant Director at Red River Lyric Opera in Wichita Falls, Texas. Off stage, Lauren works as a freelance teaching artist and director throughout the U.S. She was the Education and Outreach Coordinator at Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre and Academy from 2015-2016. Her credits as a director include the world premiere of Randall Rapstine’s one-act play, Starcrossed, The Hamlet Murders, The Somewhat True Tales of Robin Hood, The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, Little Women, and more. Her work as an arts journalist and columnist can be read online at OnStageBlog.com and NewMusicalTheatre.com’s Green Room.

Eric Dudley leads a multi-faceted career as a conductor, composer, vocalist and pianist deeply engaged in the creation of music both past and present. Since its founding in 2009, Eric has been a member of the genre-defying vocal octet Roomful of Teeth, touring worldwide and recording a wide array of new works with the Grammy Award-winning ensemble. He came to the Bay Area in 2016 to serve as interim director for the orchestra program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and now enters his fourth season as Artistic Director of the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. While in New York, he conducted and performed with organizations as diverse as Ekmeles and TENET vocal ensembles, the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Ensemble Signal, Bard Summerscape Opera, the American Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Previously, he was an assistant conductor for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under Paavo Järvi, and recent guest engagements include the Ojai Festival in California, Ensemble L’Instant Donné in France, and the Adelaide Symphony in Australia. As a pianist and chamber musician, he has worked with members of Novus New York and the Cincinnati and Princeton symphony orchestras, and his own music has been premiered and recorded

by Roomful of Teeth. He taught at Mannes College/The New School for Music in New York, where he directed the Mannes Prep Philharmonic and The New School Chorus, and this year marks his fourth as a member of the voice and ensembles faculty at The University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music.

James Haffner (Stage Director/Producer) is a Professor of Opera at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music. His production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola took first place in the 2001 National Opera Association Production Competition and was a finalist both at the regional and national levels in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. La Cenerentola holds the distinction of being the first opera to be allowed to perform in the KC/ACTF. More recently, his work was recognized by the KC-ACTF with an encore production of his reworking of Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill. Additional credits include the German premiere of Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day; Das Mahagonny Songspiel, which was presented as part of the premiere Brecht Fest at the Berliner Ensemble; and Dido and Aeneas with the Museumsinsel Fest, Berlin. During the summer months, he has worked as an Artist-in-Residence at the Bay View Music Festival in Michigan and the Bear Valley Music Festival. A 1996 Fulbright Scholar, Professor Haffner is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music holding both an MFA in Directing and an Artist’s Diploma in Opera Stage Directing. He is also a member of the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab, the National Opera Association and has served as a consultant with Opera America. Prof. Haffner has taught at the Technische Universität, Berlin; stateside, he has served on the faculties of the University of Kentucky, Miami University, Webster University and the California State University, Fullerton.

Described by professors as a “future leader in the industry,” Charlotte Han has garnered a notable presence for her exceptional ability to manage within the arts. As both an avid musician and a natural leader, she has collaborated with musicians and arts administrators from around the globe, including Daniel Ho, Danica Pinner, and Philip West. In 2019, she won the Dan Stover Music Contest and eventually earned the Concertmaster position of the University of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in 2021. Charlotte worked as Artist Department Intern for the Los Angeles Philharmonic throughout the summer of 2021, served as Junior Advisor and Public Relations Intern of Crescendo Young Musicians Guild, and was the founding president of Arcadia’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. As President of University of the Pacific’s Conservatory Student Senate, Charlotte has been working closely with leadership to enhance the Conservatory experience for all students. She is an active member of both Mu Phi Epsilon and Mortar Board and is a founding member of A String Quartet. Since January of 2022, Charlotte has been working as Assistant to the CEO for the Stockton Symphony in Stockton, California, and has launched her roles as both Engineer and Social Media Manager for Owen Hall Recording Studio. She is now also stage managing her first production with the Pacific Opera Theatre program.

Currently, Charlotte is a third-year student at the University of the Pacific pursuing a major in violin performance with a minor in music management, studying under the instruction of Dr. Ann Miller.

Lalena Vigil Hutton (Costume Designer) came into the theater with a love for acting, which was quickly overshadowed by her love of costumes. Previously, she designed The Threepenny Opera for Pacific and is very pleased to be invited back again. Her recent design experience includes Gianni Schicchi and Pagliacci (Stockton Opera Association), Superior Donuts (Capitol Stage), Stage Door (Whitney High), Charley’s Aunt, A Flea in Her Ear, and Sleeping Beauty (Sacramento City Theater). Lalena has also assisted with Shakespeare in the Park (2009-2011) as well as several other regional theater productions.

Brian Scott Johnson (Scenic Designer) is the Technical Director and Senior Set Designer for St. Mary’s High School Theatre Department. He has won numerous local awards for his designs, earned eight Elly nominations, winning three of them for his scenic versions of On Golden Pond, Sweeney Todd and Shrek the Musical. Recent designs at SCT include Spamalot, Chicago, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Brian wishes to thank his family for their love and support.

Don Myers (Lighting Designer) has served as lighting designer for the Stockton Opera Association and the Faye Spanos Concert Hall since 1989. He has also designed for a number of theater companies including the Woodland Opera House, Sacramento’s 24th Street Theatre, Light Opera Theatre Sacramento, Davis Musical Theatre Company, Stagedoor Comedy Playhouse, and the Sacramento Community Opera Theatre. As an actor some of Mr. Myers’s favorite roles include “Alain” in The Amorous Flea, “Scarecrow” in The Wizard of Oz, “Clive” in See How They Run, “Geoffrey” in Stepping Out, and “John Box” in Box and Cox. For the enjoyment of his granddaughter, he performs regularly with the Chautauqua Children’s Theatre Company.

Carl Pantle is a passionate, engaging musician, bringing confidence and heart to the musical table. As a collaborative pianist and vocal coach, he has brought to life dozens of operatic and musical theater scores, and his collaborations include Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Laura Benanti. As a pianist, arranger, and orchestrator in affiliation with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, he performed and recorded multiple commissioned works by Stephen Schwartz and Jake Heggie. Carl maintains a successful voice studio in Oakley, CA, and is enthusiastically involved in the arts and arts education in his community. Carl is a music performance major in voice.

In her second year of university, Samantha Perrego is a strong advocate of the arts. After seven years of being involved in theatre productions on and off stage, she’s excited to be on the production team of this year’s Threepenny Opera as Assistant Stage Manager. She’s currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education, and hopes to continue in the world of production while spreading her love of music as an educator after graduation.

Andrea Reposa is a second-year Music Therapy major. Previously she’s been in theatre productions on the stage but this is her first role behind the scenes at the collegiate level. Her experience working in the costuming department has been artistically fulfilling and she hopes you enjoy the magic of the opera.

Finley Shields is a junior studying to be a stage manager. Their experience consists mostly of plays and the occasional musical, with this being their first opera. Working with the Pacific Opera Theatre on this show is a new skill set and always makes for an exciting day. Finley wants to pursue stage management professionally but is interested in all aspects of theatre. Outside of stage management, they are writing for and acting in a devised theatre piece at Pacific this semester. Finley is also the Vice President of Programming for the Performance, Entertainment, and Production Society on campus and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Finley is pursuing a BA in Media X. Jordan Bell Souza is a second-year Music Education major, with a choral emphasis.

She is a lifelong lover of choral singing, and this is her first experience in Opera Production. Jordan is an active member of Pacific Singers and the National Association For Music Education. Her special interests include vocal music, watching sports, and reading.

MEET THE CAST OPERA THEATRE ENSEMBLE Mara Baldwin is a senior Music Therapy major with a primary in voice. She has had the pleasure of performing with the Opera Production class in Brigadoon, Twelfth Night and four productions of the Opera Follies. She is a member of Pacific Singers and is the Vice President of the student-run a capella group, Pacific Stocktones. She is also the Vice President of Membership for the Eta Omega Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. In the fall, she will be interning at UCSF Children’s Hospital to complete her music therapy degree. Mara studies voice with Prof. Virginia Kelsey.

Mateus Barioni is currently in his third year as a Music Composition major. He is a member of the student a cappella group known as the Stocktones and has also arranged music for them. He has performed with the San Joaquin County Honor Choir for four years from 2014 to 2018, the NorCal Regional Honor Choir for two years from 2016 to 2017, and the 2017 NAfME All-National Honor Choir. Mateus studies voice with Dr. Eric Dudley.

Eli Bocks is a Music Management senior at University of the Pacific. They have performed for almost 15 years in various environments, including shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Heart of the Lion. Eli is really excited to be in their first opera! Eli studies voice with Dr. Eric Dudley.

Alexis Bondoc transferred to Pacific for the Music Therapy Program and says, “I was introduced to the Opera Theater class last semester. This is my first year participating in an opera or even doing Opera Theater class. This experience has been eye-opening and I have learned a lot (especially how to get out of my comfort zone a little more). Being in this class has helped me expand my vocal skills and has given me so much confidence in performing. I am so grateful to the whole cast and crew for making me feel a part of a group that feels like family.” Alexis studies voice with Dr. Eric Dudley.

Riley Brearton has been passionate about music since his childhood. Through high school, he was active in the instrumental and vocal ensembles, and is now a scholar at University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music as a classically-trained guitarist and choral tenor, expecting to earn a degree in Music Management in 2023. As an active chamber musician, soloist, songwriter, and private instructor, he seeks to encourage the newest generations of up-and-coming artists to become active in the current music industry. Riley studies guitar with Prof. Guy Powell.

Joshua Cabardo is an exuberant soul with a passion for making music with friends. Joshua’s musical journey began with his high school choir and, most importantly, his barbershop quartet, Top RawMen. He also takes pride in being a Stockton native. In college, Joshua went on to pursue music as his major and explored styles like opera and vocal jazz. Joshua is currently studying performance for voice under Daniel Ebbers and is in his final year at the University of the Pacific. Inspired by groups like Chanticleer, Voces8, and The King’s Singers, Joshua aims to form a group of his own.

Elyse Coty is filled with bittersweet joy to be appearing as Frau Peachum in her final production with Pacific Opera Theatre. Her past credits include: Opera Follies, Isabel in Pirates of Penzance, Alto Vendor in Brigadoon, and The NEW Mikado, and is a recent winner of the Kristina Townsend Memorial Scholarship Competition. Outside of classes, Elyse is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and the lead female vocalist of the Pacific Heavy Ensemble. Elyse would like to thank all her teachers and classmates for a wonderful final year, and furthermore hopes to continue making strides in her career after graduation. Elyse is a music performance major in voice and studies with Prof. Virginia Kelsey.

Rose Dickson is a third-year music therapy major and music theory minor at University of the Pacific. The Threepenny Opera is her first-ever musical production, but she has been on the stage before as Mattie in Stage Door during her freshman year of high school and Luzena Wilson in Gold Dust Or Bust during the fourth grade. She currently studies classical voice under Professor Virginia Kelsey and classical piano under Dr. Sonia Leong. The other university ensembles she is involved in are Pacific Singers and Vocal Jazz. Rose is also a member of the international professional music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota.

Filo Ebid is a singer/actor, currently studying Vocal Performance at the University of the Pacific.

Throughout his journey, he has ventured into many genres, ranging from pop/RnB to opera. He was cast in many musicals, which have included Tom Collins (Rent), Shrek (Shrek the Musical), In The Heights (Piraguero), and Urinetown (Ensemble). Notable accomplishments have included performing a solo at the Choirs of America Festival in Carnegie Hall and being a finalist in the renowned Youngarts competition in 2019. He is a member of the newly-founded choir Choral Audacity, which made its ACDA debut in March of 2022. Filo studies voice with Prof. Daniel Ebbers.

Spunky mezzo-soprano, Brylan Finley is a passionate vocal performance major studying with Professor Daniel Ebbers at the UoP Conservatory of Music. Brylan considers music her escape from reality and a meditative way to enjoy each day to the fullest extent. This enthusiastic musician craves immersion in the world of professional operatic performance and challenges conventional age stereotypes. She made her professional solo operatic debut as Julia Bertram in Mansfield Park with Opera Modesto in 2020 and also won first place in the Stockton Opera Guild’s 18-25 year old category.

Throughout high school, she performed with the CA All-State and Central Region HS Honor Choir.

Second-year Vocal Performance major, this is Juliette Frediere’s first in-person production with Pacific Opera Theater — her first being Belonging - A Pastiche Opera Film. Although she has experience in classical singing and in theater, this will also be her first time in an operatic production. A young coloratura soprano, Juliette hopes to continue working in classical music and opera, as music has already taken her to hallowed stages such as Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Juliette studies voice with Prof. Virginia Kelsey.

Hanna Grossenbacher is a Junior English and Media X major. Previously, she has been seen in the 2021 and 2019 Follies, and the 2020 Belonging - A Pastiche Opera Film. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous and unwavering support, as well as Professor Haffner and Dr.Dudley for the opportunity.

Elaine Hanley has an associate degree in Music from Delta College. She is currently a Junior, studying for a BA in Music with a minor in Music Management. With over 15 years of performance and choral experience. Elaine has been a featured soloist with the Delta Singers, Delta Vocal Jazz, Stockton Chorale, and the 2021 Fall Follies. She has also played the role of Satan at the annual Easter performance of the Rock Opera, the Passion of the Christ.

Elaine has produced and directed school musicals. She also serves as the Worship Leader and Choir Director at her local church. Elaine studies voice with Prof. Virginia Kelsey.

Leo Hearl is a first-year Music Education major with a vocal focus. He has dreamed of being a music major since middle school and is excited to be a part of the conservatory at UOP. He has been in choir his entire life and has attended many honor choirs. He has also been in many theater productions since elementary school, his favorite being Grease in his junior year of high school. At UOP, Leo is a part of Stocktones and is currently in the process of joining the professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon.

He’s excited for Threepenny and hopes people enjoy the show. Leo studies voice with Dr. Eric Dudley.

Mia Janosik is a first year music-education student studying voice under Professor Virginia Kelsey.

She is thrilled to be performing in The Threepenny Opera as her debut opera and her second production with University of the Pacific Opera Theater after having previously been seen in the Fall 2021 production of Opera Follies. With a passion for performing and an excitement for learning and growing as a musician, she is excited to see what the future will hold at UOP. She is eternally grateful for the guidance and support of everyone on the production team and in the cast.

This is Michael Megenney’s first year at UOP and says “I’m super excited to be here. I’m a double major in Music Performance and Music Therapy with my main instrument being voice. I started off playing music by joining my school band in fifth grade playing trumpet and ever since then, I have been excited to perform ever since! I was in my high school choir for four years. I did county honor choir for two years and California all-state honor choir for one year. I’m super excited to see where this path takes me and for the friendships I’ve made.” Michael studies voice with Prof. Daniel Ebbers.

Dion Nickelson is a senior Music Education major with a concentration in voice. This will be his third show at the Pacific Opera Theatre, having previously performed in Brigadoon and the 2021 edition of the Opera Follies. Aside from Opera, Dion is also a member of the Pacific Singers and has led the student-run collegiate acapella group, Pacific Stocktones, for three years. After Dion graduates in the spring, he is hoping to further his passion for conducting by going to grad school. Dion has studied voice with Prof. Daniel Ebbers.

Ria Patel is an enthusiastic and energetic soprano who is so excited to be making her debut on the theatrical stage in The Threepenny Opera! She is a first-year vocal performance major, studying with Professor Virginia Kelsey. She has previously performed in the Pacific Opera Follies, is a member of Pacific Singers, and is currently a candidate for the professional music fraternity, Mu Phi Epsilon. She is so thankful for all the incredible people involved in this production and looks forward to continuing to explore her passion for music at University of the Pacific!

Joshua Porter is an aspiring and accomplished baritone at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music. He has performed a wide range of styles and genres but is currently pursuing a career in opera, as well as developing his own virtual vocal studio. Joshua has studied with many great teachers, including famed conductor Michel Singher, and professors Cheryl Anderson, Daniel Ebbers, and James Haffner. While dedicated to his music, Joshua also enjoys long hikes, reading, and playing with his kitties. Joshua is a performance major in voice.

Anthony Silva was born on October 7, 1999 in Costa Mesa, California. He say, “I graduated from Newport Harbor in 2018. This is the first time I had a speaking role in a stage production and the second time I had a role in a stage production (in high school, I had a silent role as the Executioner in The Actor’s Nightmare). Prior to The Threepenny Opera, I was a bass singer in choir with Dr. Kimball, and I really look forward to seeing how people react to this show. I am an English major with a writing minor.

After I graduate from UOP, I hope to maybe go to grad school. For a career, I plan on maybe starting off as a journalist and then publishing my various novel ideas (and later writing screenplays as well).”

Lily Tumbale is a senior Music Therapy major with a primary in piano. This is their first production onstage with Pacific Opera Theater. Lily is also a part of Pacific Singers, is currently the President of the student-run a cappella group, Pacific Stocktones, and is a proud member of the Mu Eta chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. After this spring, Lily will be interning at Musicworx located in San Diego to finish her degree. Lily studies piano with Dr. Sonia Leong.

Ryan Vang is an enthusiastic lover of music in all of its forms. His journey began in the choir room of his high school days with his friends that cultivated his love for making music with those around him and it has continued since. Advocating the love and message of music is both important to him in that, the best kind of music is the music that is irresistibly felt.

He is currently a singer/songwriter amongst independent and pop music. Ryan is also involved as a voice teacher currently in Stockton School of Music and in his own private instruction. Ryan is a music education major and studies voice with Prof. Virginia Kelsey.

Jordan Yang tramples music genres with her luscious voice and proudly represents the Hmong community. She is a passionate performer with a history of musicals, operatic performances, and chamber ensembles. Jordan Yang is well-loved as a soloist within the California Valley Hmong community and has released two singles with the Los Angeles record label Indasoul. She has had the opportunity to train with many astounding voice teachers of different musical backgrounds and is now in her second year studying under Daniel Ebbers as a Voice Performance major at University of the Pacific. She strives to become a professional opera singer after her time at the Conservatory of Music.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

San Joaquin Delta College Drama Theatre Department Stockton Civic Theatre Prof. Gary Armagnac & Prof. Kevin Pontuti, University of the Pacific—Media X (AMPD) Martinizing Dry Cleaning This performance is made possible in part through philanthropic funding from: The George Buckbee Conservatory Opera Fund The Friends of Opera Academic Excellence in Opera Endowment

PACIFIC OPERA THEATRE Professional Affiliations

The National Opera Association was founded in 1955, under the auspices of the National Music Council. The National Opera Association seeks to promote a greater appreciation of opera and music theatre, to enhance pedagogy and performing activities, and to increase performance opportunities by supporting projects that improve the scope and quality of opera. Members in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia participate in a wide array of activities in support of this mission.

Through its prosperous history, the NOA has primarily served education and performance activities in academic institutions and small regional opera companies. The organization especially welcomes participation of college and university opera workshop directors, students, composers, librettists, scholars, and anyone interested in opera and opera education.

NOA holds an annual convention featuring performances, panels, workshops, and other continuingeducation opportunities for opera educators, professionals, and students. Major activities of the NOA include the encouragement of young artists and composers through competitions and performance opportunities, sharing resources for collegiate and regional productions, and publication of scholarly articles. Special projects of the NOAinclude Opera for Youth, the Legacy Project, and the Sacred in Opera.

OPERA America draws on resources and expertise from within and beyond the opera field to advance a mutually-beneficial agenda that serves and strengthens the field through various programs in the following categories: •Creation: Artistic services that help artists and companies increase the creativity and excellence of opera productions, especially North American works; •Presentation: Opera company services that address the specific needs of staff, trustees and volunteers; •Enjoyment: Education, audience development and community services that increase all forms of opera appreciation.

The association provides members with an array of publications and online resources, regional workshops, an annual conference and network-specific services such as conference calls, e-mail list-serves and direct contact with staff with expertise in opera production, administration and education. OPERA America provides members with tools to maximize the effectiveness of financial and human resources, expand the scope of repertoire and programs, and extend their reach to new and diverse audiences.

Founded in 1970, OPERA America has an international membership that includes nearly 150 Professional Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and over 16,000 subscribers to its electronic news service.