Professor Emerita Returns to 色情视频 to Direct Opera
Paula Kalustian takes the reins of J. Massenets Cendrillon.
She returned to campus during the fall of 2015 to direct "Into the Woods" and again in spring 2017 to play a feature role in "The Full Monty."
鈥淪o here I am again,鈥� Kalustian said, 鈥淭his time stepping in to direct and produce Massenet鈥檚 'Cendrillon' for the School of Music and Dance.鈥�
"Cendrillon" is a French opera based on Charles Perrault鈥檚 version of the classic Cinderella fairy tale. The production will be complete with all the characters audiences know and love: a prince charming, wicked stepmother, fairy godmother and plenty of other magical creatures.
A change of pace
Prior to her appointment at 色情视频 in 1989, Kalustian had a vibrant career teaching at the university level, as well as freelance directing and choreographing both on Broadway and around the country. She served as the director of 色情视频鈥檚 acclaimed MFA in Musical Theatre program for 26 years.This project differs from Kalustian鈥檚 prior work. 鈥淚 am a music theatre artist,鈥� said Kalustian. 鈥淚 have directed plays and opera before, but my love is, and always will be, the unique American art form of musical theatre. Although opera and music theatre sometimes share stories, themes and many other elements, they are very different.鈥�
Student perspectives
Working with someone with Kalustian鈥檚 wealth of experience has been a valuable opportunity for vocal music students.鈥淚 can honestly say that 'Cendrillon' has been the most fun I have had in any show I鈥檝e done at 色情视频,鈥� said Lauren Cernik-Price, an 色情视频 vocal performance major. 鈥淲e are definitely being prepared for the real world鈥擨 couldn鈥檛 ask for more.鈥�
