RespirOpera Company

10/22/2024

The best thing about the past is that it is over. Don't let yesterday limit your today.

09/19/2024

https://www.facebook.com/CollectiveArtistsWorkshop/videos/1038488984644770/?notif_id=1726707529994645¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

09/17/2024

I have received so many thank you texts, and compliments for having a live orchestra for Little Women. The pit really is outstanding for this show. I took video one night and heard someone behind the camera say "Holy crap, is that a live orchestra?!" Live musicians can be expensive or even cost prohibitive, but it really does make a difference. It gives the performers so much more of an opportunity to express themselves within the ensemble, rather than be relegated to the confines of a track. We have one more weekend. Tickets can be found at collectiveartistsworkshop.org/tickets

Also, if you love a live orchestra, our friends at Athens Creative Theatre will be performing the musical, "Anastasia", at the Morton Theatre, and Daniel Everett Self will be leading that orchestra. TA Powell is directing. Many of the performers you enjoyed in Little Women will be in Anastasia, including Josie Moretti who will be performing the title role. Keep supporting live theater in Athens and the surrounding area.

September 13-14 & 20-21 at 7:30pmSeptember 15 & 22 at 3:00pmat the Oconee Civic Center CAST for September 13, 15, & 21Chiara Bono • Lisa Cesnik Ferguson • Christine Cestaro • Mila Cestaro • Kendall Kookogey • Josie Moretti • Nathan Orck • Will Pitts • Ryan Roberts • Thalia Smoot .....

09/16/2024

Our Collective Artists Workshop inaugural production of Little Women surpassed all expectations. We exceeded our box office goal the very first weekend, which almost never happens. Luckily we have another full weekend to go. I can't tell you how fulfilling it was to conduct this wonderful show. I can definitely say that leading a show as a conductor is far more fulfilling than singing a role onstage. I really have the best seat in the house. This dream began well over a year ago, and putting this show on has been a roller coaster of big ups and downs. We ended up with two perfect casts for this show, and everyone worked so well with each other. I couldn't wait to get to rehearsals every night, not just to make great art, but to be with these joyful people. Producing this show on a grand scale with an orchestra at the Oconee Civic Center was a big risk for our first show, but I couldn't be happier with the result. My heart felt thanks go out to the wonderfully engaged audiences we had on each performance. We were all so fueled by the raucous laughter and audible sobs from the house.

This was the perfect show for us to begin our company's journey with, and I cannot thank Jason Howland, Mindi Dickstein, and Allen Knee enough for comparing and writing such a perfect show.

There is still one more weekend. For advance tickets you can visit collectiveartistsworkshop.org/tickets or purchase at the door. Thanks as well to Nilah DeLetto-Howard for baking such wonderful show inspired treats for our concession. Thanks as well to our amazing production team, William Whitefield, Lisa Cesnik Ferguson, TA Powell, Christine Ziegler Cestaro, and Mary Delaplane for your incredible work on this project. This is one of the biggest highlights of my life. I love you all.

09/09/2024

I am about to go and destroy a piano. Literally! Turn a perfectly functioning, spinet piano into a theater prop. Take the whole soundboard out, all the innards. Granted it’s not a beautiful sounding piano, but there is some guilt involved.

09/07/2024

Today we moved Little Women into the Civic Oconee Civic Center, and I can't believe how wonderful this production looks. I want to thank Ryan Roberts, who owns Simply Old furniture restoration and antiques for supplying almost all of our authentic colonial furniture. Also Donna Hobson Christensen who owns Hello Lois in downtown Bishop for supplying us with several of our props. Today was our last rehearsal at Oconee Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has truly felt like home to us these last three months. It was bittersweet moving out, but we are so excited to be on the stage for tech week starting on Monday and opening on Friday.

Thank you so much to all the people who have made this production possible! We are so excited to share this show with all of you! For tickets, visit:

September 13-14 & 20-21 at 7:30pmSeptember 15 & 22 at 3:00pmat the Oconee Civic Center CAST for September 13, 15, & 21Chiara Bono • Lisa Cesnik Ferguson • Christine Cestaro • Mila Cestaro • Kendall Kookogey • Josie Moretti • Nathan Orck • Will Pitts • Ryan Roberts • Thalia Smoot .....

08/02/2024

The greatest pitfall we can fall into as a performer is to judge our performance based on the reactions of our audiences. We put our self-esteem into the hands of others rather than practicing self-acceptance and being in the moment. We then project our selfish needs unfairly on strangers. The greatest performers are the ones who release their audiences of the responsibility of accepting them, or even liking them. When a performer does this, they come into the possession of "that special extra thing" that sets them apart from others. We know those performers who whenever their foot hits the stage all eyes go to them. This isn't because of their expectation of love, but because they give the audience the freedom to love and accept them on the audience's terms. It is all about the gift rather than the giver. It is, in a way, more intimate, even more selfish, but in a healthy way. It becomes about the mutual fulfillment of the giver and the receiver, and the gift itself just... is. The gift can soar unencumbered by expectation. When this happens, theatrical magic occurs. In the original Judy Garland version of "A Star is Born", James Mason's character tells Garland that she possesses "that extra little thing." Her performance of the song, "The Man that Got Away" is a prime example of this idea. When she sings this song, it looks as if the entire world disappears around her. I think it is one of the greatest moments of theater on screen.

07/30/2024

Just got home from an incredible rehearsal of Little Women. My eyes are red from crying. Both these casts are so freaking incredible in every way. It is such a blessing doing this wonderful show. Tickets are on sale for Sept 13th - 22nd. It is worth seeing both casts. There won't be a dry eye in the house.

September 13-14 & 20-21 at 7:30pmSeptember 15 & 22 at 3:00pm CAST for September 13, 15, & 21Chiara Bono • Lisa Cesnik Ferguson • Christine Cestaro • Mila Cestaro • Kendall Kookogey • Josie Moretti • Nathan Orck • Will Pitts • Ryan Roberts • Thalia Smoot • Zane Taylor CAST for Sep...

06/04/2024

Come one, come all to the Local 706 Restaurant on June 17th for an evening of Musical Theater, Jazz, and Popular Music hits. A generous percentage of proceeds from the day will go towards our production of Little Women. Even if you can't make it that night, go for lunch. This wonderful restaurant is giving us a percentage of the whole day. Please share this post with family and friends!

08/05/2021

Time's running out! Get your tickets for our season premiere concert, Nightcap Concert Series today! Tickets are only sold in advance and not at the door. Don't miss your chance to this musical experience!

07/09/2021

RespirOpera is back in action! Come check us out in August for the start of our Nightcap Concert Series. More details to follow.