SHE WHO DARED

COMPOSER: Jasmine Barnes
LIBRETTIST: Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton

WORLD PREMIERE
Commissioned by American Lyric Theater
Lawrence Edelson, Artistic & General Director
Kelly Kuo, Associate Artistic Director

Tuesday, June 3rd @ 7:30 PM
Friday, June 6th @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 8th @ 3 PM

The Studebaker Theater
410 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS?

Everyone has heard of Rosa Parks, but she wasn’t the first to refuse to move. She Who Dared recenters the spotlight on the courageous women who helped desegregate the Montgomery bus system in the 1950s. These Civil Rights pioneers pay homage to the quiet struggle for justice that has often gone unknown – further amplifying the effects of the historic case of Browder V Gayle. While often riotous and sometimes hilarious, these women demonstrate how everyday people have the power to challenge the systems around them and affect tangible change – if only they dare.

She Who Dared will feature sopranos Jasmine Habersham, Jacqueline Echols, Lindsey Reynolds, and mezzo sopranos Chrystal E. Williams, Jazmine Olwalia, Leah Dexter, and Cierra Byrd.  Conductor Michael Ellis Ingram and director Timothy Douglas make their COT debuts at the helm of the world premiere production.  

COT thanks Nancy Dehmlow and the Morse & Genius Operating Reserve Fund for their generous support of the 2024/25 Season.

Meet the Artists

  • Jasmine Habersham

    CLAUDETTE COLVIN

  • Chrystal E. Williams

    AURELIA BROWDER

  • Jacqueline Echols

    ROSA PARKS / MS. NESBIT / PROSECUTION ATTORNEY

  • Jazmine Olwalia

    JO ANN ROBINSON / FRED GRAY

  • Leah Dexter

    SUSIE “MAMA SUE” MACDONALD

  • Cierra Byrd

    JEANETTA REESE / CLASSMATE / OFFICER / JUDGE

  • Lindsey Reynolds

    MARY LOUISE SMITH / CLASSMATE

  • Michael Ellis Ingram

    CONDUCTOR

  • Timothy Douglas

    DIRECTOR

  • Jasmine Arielle Barnes

    COMPOSER

  • Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton

    LIBRETTIST