UofL News: How did you secure Kelli O’Hara to teach a masterclass?

Emily Albrink: We learned that Kelli O’Hara was coming to sing with the Louisville Orchestra for the opening of their POPS season on Saturday, September 24. When the season was announced, I knew we had to seize the opportunity to make sure our students had access to this incredible artist. After much persistence through many emails with her agent, we secured her!

UofL News: How unique is it for UofL to work with an artist of this caliber?

Emily Albrink: I cannot remember a time when a star of this magnitude has been in town and worked with our students. Kelli is unique in that, not only is she a star on Broadway, she is also a television star, with a leading role in the HBO series The Gilded Age as well as The Accidental Wolf on Amazon Prime. In addition, she is a classically trained soprano and will be staring at the Metropolitan Opera next month in a new opera based on The Hours. Her success and fame are far reaching and cross genres.

UofL News: Have you brought in other big names in the past?

Emily Albrink: The School of Music has a rich history of bringing in exceptional artists from across the world to work with our students. Specifically, the voice area has hosted famous opera singers: Frederica von Stade, Jamie Barton, Michelle DeYoung, Stephanie Blythe, Wolfgang Holzmair and the incredible opera composer, Jake Heggie.  

UofL News: Describe what happens during a masterclass.

Emily Albrink: A masterclass is a class given to students of a particular discipline (in this case, singing) by an expert in the field. A group of students or audience listens as the teacher takes one student at a time. Usually a single piece is performed by each student and then the master technician will work with them in front of the audience. It can be an eye-opening experience for the listener as much as it is for the participant.

UofL News: What do students gain from these classes and how does it help them grow professionally?

Emily Albrink: The chance to work with an artist such as Kelli O’Hara is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students. The breadth of experience and knowledge Kelli brings to the table is unparalleled and the personal interaction inspires our students and motivates them in a special way. This also provides an opportunity for students to make a connection with someone deeply rooted in the profession which could lead to any number of prospects for them in the future.

The Broadway blockbuster was written by three-time Obie Award-winner Christopher Durang and is directed by Russell Vandenbroucke, Theatre Arts professor and
director of UofL’s Peace, Justice and Conflict Transformation Program.

In this comedy, Vanya and his adopted sister, Sonia, live a quiet life in the Pennsylvania farmhouse where they grew up, while their sister Masha travels the world as a movie star. Just as their cleaning woman issues a warning about terrible events in their future, Masha returns for an unannounced visit with her 20-something boy toy Spike in tow. And so begins a family reunion filled with rivalry, regret, racket and hilarity.Ěý

The show borrows themes and characters from Anton Chekhov, but Vandenbroucke promises audience members need not be familiar with the Russian playwright’s work to enjoy the production.

“The show is clever and witty. I think audiences will enjoy it tremendously,” he said.

Thrust Theatre is on UofL’s Belknap Campus, 2314 S. Floyd St. All plays start at 8 p.m. with 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for faculty, alumni and seniors and $8 for UofL students. Season tickets are $50. To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at 502-852-6814 or click .

to see more photos from the play.

Like all of the “Pittsburgh” plays, “Fences” explores the evolving African-American experience and race relations, among other universal themes. In it, the central character Troy Maxson is a former Negro League homerun king forced into retirement before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1946. A decade later, he struggles as a Pittsburgh garbage man – barely making ends meet. His youngest son, Cory, is a promising high school football star who bears the brunt of the demons that only Troy can see.

The play won every major prize when it debuted on Broadway in 1987, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and added to its award count during the 2010 Broadway revival starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.ĚýA film version of the acclaimed Broadway revival is set to air this December.

, director of , is directing the production. Kelly has acted in half of Wilson’s 10-play cycle in major regional theaters across the U.S. and will draw heavily from those experiences.

“I wanted to direct this play because I am moved by the complexity and dynamics of black family relationships in the 1950s,” he said. “During that time, choices certain people had to make were limited and sometimes may have seemed socially unacceptable.ĚýPeople like Troy did what they had to do to feed their children and support a family. For example, Troy felt obligated to commit a robbery as a young man.”

Thrust Theatre is located on UofL’s Belknap Campus, 2314 S. Floyd St. All plays start at 8 p.m. with 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees. More information is .Ěý