Name: American Apollo
Start: 2024-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-07-18T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Blank Performing Arts Center

Organization

Des Moines Metro Opera

Conductor

David Neely

Stage director

Shaun Patrick Tubbs

Singer

Baritone

Justin Austin

Thomas McKeller

Tenor

William Burden

John Singer Sargent

Soprano

Mary Dunleavy

Isabella Stewart Gardner

Orchestra

Des Moines Metropolitan Opera Festival Orchestra

Costume designer

Danielle Preston

Choreographer

Leah Tubbs

Wig & Makeup Designer

Brittany Rappise

Lighting designer

Bridget S Williams

Set designer

Steven Kemp

Dramaturge

Kate Pitt

Tesia Kwarteng

Ida Mae McDonald

Alex McKissick

Nicola d'Inverno

Kendra Faith Beasley

Florence McKeller

Mrs. Smithson

Daniel Rich

Willie McDonald

Shyheim Selvan Hinnant

Clarence

Master of Ceremonies

Isaiah Traylor

George

Antonio Domino

Walter

Bass-baritone

Robert Frazier

Jimmy O'Donnelly

Mr. Carhart

Hayden Smith

Mr. Sparhawk

English

American Apollo

Indianola

United States

Blank Performing Arts Center

American Apollo Geter

Public

Opera

Approved

American Apollo gives voice to a pivotal figure in American art: Thomas Eugene McKeller, a Black hotel worker who served as a model and muse for famous portraitist John Singer Sargent. Themes of erasure, the white gaze and the nature of the relationship between the two men are explored in this powerful new work which makes its full-length world premiere in 2024.

Des Moines Metro Opera’s new production features baritone Justin Austin as Thomas Eugene McKeller, tenor William Burden making a company debut as John Singer Sargent, soprano Mary Dunleavy as Isabella Stewart Gardner, and DMMO Marshall and Judy Flapan Music Director and Principal Conductor David Neely leading the production alongside stage director Shaun Patrick Tubbs, who makes his company debut.

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble