December 10, 2024

Opera is being transformed into a more inclusive and innovative art form, and Opera Praktikos (OPrak) is one of the companies leading this movement. Co-founded by librettist Marianna Mott Newirth and opera journalist Greg Moomjy, OPrak is New York City’s first disability-forward opera company, committed to breaking down barriers for artists and audiences. Today, a conversation with Marianna Mott Newirth and mezzo-soprano Hailey McAvoy, who has cerebral palsy and stars in OPrak’s upcoming production, There Will Be Cake. Marianna and Hailey share how OPrak fosters disability creativity, from accessible venues to innovative productions. They discuss how embracing accessibility not only removes obstacles but enriches the art form itself, creating a more collaborative and exciting opera world for everyone, and the inspiration behind There Will Be Cake, a joyful pairing of two opera monologues celebrating food, humor, and community, all served up with a side of cake.