Sensorium Ex is an opera for soloists, choir, chamber orchestra and electronics - exploring the nature of voice beyond language, what it means to be truly human, and how we find our sense of voice through our relationships with family, community and culture.
A corporation conscripts three scientists, Mem, Mycelia, and Niles, to develop the final piece of a breakthrough Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm. This final piece has always been excluded in AI research because it represents the realm of human experiences presumed “non-optimal.”
Mem, the lead researcher, is the mother of Kitsune, a child with a disability, and realizes the corporation has targeted her child’s genetic material to use for their program. Are these scientists the researchers or the experiment? And is there any escape? Holding the answers is a child who doesn’t speak but whose disabilities manifest an answer.
A mother’s love, science/tech ethics, romance, corporate greed, a mystical escape, and a robot named Sophia come together in this story about what it means to be human.
Paola Prestini, Composer
Brenda Shaughnessy, Librettist
Jerron Herman, Choreographer and Associate Director
Ras Dia, Producing Director, VisionIntoArt
Daniel Oxenhandler, Impact Director, VisionIntoArt
Beth Morrison Projects, Opera Producer
Gregg Mozgala, Community Impact Lead
The Sensorium Advisory Board is a small group of disability artists, activists and leaders from a variety of backgrounds - who work with the artistic team to provide insight and support in various areas, centering lived experience and community-based practices in the creation of the work.
Marlene Le Roux, CEO - Artscape Theatre (Cape Town, South Africa)
Jenny Sealey, Director - Graeae Theatre (London, UK)
Laurie Rubin, Mezzo-Soprano (USA)
Jacob Nossell, Disability Activist & Leader (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Gregg Mozgala, Actor and Founder, Apothetae Theater (New York City, USA)
Roger Weitz, Former Director - Opera Omaha (USA)
Mem (Female, Lyric Soprano, Lead Scientist)
Mycelia (Female, Mezzo, Scientist; Tree-woman who is Blind/Low vision)
Niles (Male, High Baritone, Scientist)
CORP (Male, Bass Baritone)
Kitsune (non-speaking, age 9-14 / Can be either a child actor or an older actor (14+) who plays younger)
Chorus of Souls (Part of Octet (8), plays many parts; movers welcome; any age)
If you feel you are right for a role, PLEASE audition. While characters may have specific age ranges and identities, etc, we welcome anyone to apply who sees themselves suited for a particular role.
The roles are being cast for performing during a full music workshop of the entire Opera in New York City from May 21 - 27, 2023.
We are casting for New York City based artists, however we may also consider artists from the greater east coast region or beyond, should there be an exceptional fit for one of the roles.
*Select artists may also be invited to join the ensemble cast of the stage performance of the Opera which will premiere in 2025.
AUDITION NOTICE - Full Details
For complete information about the roles we are casting for and the specific submission requirements for each role, please refer to the Sensorium Ex audition notice.
MUSICAL SCORES
For access to the musical scores for the different roles and audition parts, please access this google drive folder
Feb 1: Open Call Launched
Feb 20: Open Call Deadline
Late Feb: Call Backs for In-Person Auditions Announced
March 7 - 10: In-Person Auditions in New York City (Timings TBD - In-Person & Virtual)
March - May: Individual Preparation for Workshop; Coaching with composer available.
May 21 - 27: Full Music Workshop New York City
*All performers must be available for auditions on these dates, as well as the workshop dates. We are casting for New York City based artists, however we may also consider artists from the greater east coast region or beyond, should there be an exceptional fit for one of the roles.
The Full Music workshop will be an intensive week of reading and recording the entirety of the vocal score for Sensorium Ex. The workshop will be specifically focused on music and voice - with potential for some simple choreography. While classically trained vocalists are strongly encouraged to apply, all who submit materials will be considered. Please note that this is a non-union production, and all selected artists will receive a stipend for their participation.
Please note that the audition and workshop schedules will be organized to allow sufficient time, space and resources to support and care for all access needs - ensuring that all artists can perform to their highest ability. We will also have resources available to support local ground transport needs.
If you have questions, please contact auditions@visionintoart.com OR daniel@visionintoart.com / ras@visionintoart.com
If you prefer to reach us via phone, we will have a phone number set-up soon, so please check back.
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Mem (Female, Lyric Soprano, Lead Scientist)
Mycelia (Female, Mezzo, Scientist; Tree-woman who is Blind/Low vision)
Niles (Male, High Baritone, Scientist)
CORP (Male, Bass Baritone)
Kitsune (non-speaking, age 9-14 / Can be either a child actor or an older actor (14+) who plays younger)
Chorus of Souls (Part of Octet (8), plays many parts; movers welcome; any age)
If you feel you are right for a role, PLEASE audition. While characters may have specific age ranges and identities, etc, we welcome anyone to apply who sees themselves suited for a particular role.
The roles are being cast for performing during a full music workshop of the entire Opera in New York City from May 21 - 27, 2023.
We are casting for New York City based artists, however we may also consider artists from the greater east coast region or beyond, should there be an exceptional fit for one of the roles.
*Select artists may also be invited to join the ensemble cast of the stage performance of the Opera which will premiere in 2025.
AUDITION NOTICE - Full Details
For complete information about the roles we are casting for and the specific submission requirements for each role, please refer to the Sensorium Ex audition notice.
MUSICAL SCORES
For access to the musical scores for the different roles and audition parts, please access this google drive folder
