Badlands Opera Project

Badlands Opera Project Badlands Opera Project seeks to bring professional opera, musical theatre, and vocal music to the southwest ND area.

[Cast Highlight]We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with John Yale as The Police Sergeant.John...
08/29/2026

[Cast Highlight]

We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with John Yale as The Police Sergeant.

John Yale is excited to return to Badlands Opera Project in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. His first experience with BOP was the role of Nick Longworth in Teddy & Alice (Summer 2026). As a member of the McKenzie County Community Theater in Watford City, he portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Delmount Williams in The Miss Firecracker Contest, Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Banquo in Macbeth. John sings with the Williston Concert Chorale and has twice sung the role of John the Apostle in Harmonic Creative World’s production of Lamb of God. Though he has not made music and theater his career, John is grateful for organizations like Badlands Opera Project which allow him to enjoy participating in the performing arts close to home.

08/26/2026

Hi! BOP social media manager is sick 🤒
Let me know what musical films I should watch today and tomorrow in the comments below ⬇️

[Cast Highlight]We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Alexander Adams-Leytes as Major Gener...
08/23/2026

[Cast Highlight]

We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Alexander Adams-Leytes as Major General Stanley.

Bass-baritone Alexander Adams-Leytes has been recognized for his “transcendental” comic timing and master of patter singing in his 2013 professional debut as Dr. Bartolo in “Il Barbiere di Sivilia” with Pacific Opera Project in Los Angeles. He has since specialized in buffo repertoire, performing staples including Dulcamara in “L’elisir d’amore,” Leporello in “Don Giovanni,” Don Alfonso in “Cosi fan tutte,” Don Magnifico in “La Cenerentola”, the title role in “Gianni Schicchi,” Benoit/Alcindoro in “La Boheme,” and Sagrestano in “Tosca,” as well as operetta roles including Falke and Frank in “Die Fledermaus,” and Cascada in “Die Lustige Wittwe.” His career has spanned companies and venues from Miami Lyric Opera to Theater Rudolstadt in Germany, where he debuted as Dr. Cajus and Herr Reich in “Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor.” A versatile performer, his repertoire has also has included a previous Major General with Opera Cedar Rapids in Iowa, though that was one Joe Pesci, Mafia don style! He holds a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and trained at Lyric Opera Studio Weimar under the direction of European stage buffo specialist Damon Nestor Ploumis. Now a dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany, he recenty joined the roster of the Italy-based MeOpera Artists Management. This summer he debuted Mustapha in at Winter Harbor Music Festival in Maine as well as Hortensius in “Daughter of the Regiment” with Geneva Light Opera in upstate New York.

[Cast Highlight]We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Kayla Kilwein as Ruth.Kayla is a Dick...
08/21/2026

[Cast Highlight]

We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Kayla Kilwein as Ruth.

Kayla is a Dickinson, North Dakota native who has been a passionate music maker throughout her life. She currently serves as the Worship & Music Director at St. John Lutheran Church, where she enriches worship through her leadership in music and liturgy. Prior to this role, Kayla spent nine years teaching elementary music, fostering a love for the arts in young learners.

Kayla owns and operates Let’s Play Music, a private studio dedicated to teaching complete musicianship to young children through an engaging and comprehensive curriculum. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Dance from the University of Northern Colorado and a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Choral Education from Dickinson State University.

In addition to her work at St. John, Kayla serves as the Executive Director for the Badlands Opera Project, a non-profit organization committed to inspiring, educating, and engaging the community through music and storytelling. This organization has brought innovative productions and educational programs to the region, including youth camps and community performances. With Badlands Opera Project Kayla directed Godspell in 2023. She played The Witch in Into the Woods and Dido in Dido and Aeneas. This spring she will be directing our production of Titanic.

Kayla also lends her expertise as a board member for the Dickinson Area Concert Association and is an active performer in the Dickinson City Band. She frequently collaborated with the music department at Dickinson State University and has been a guest performer for the If Music Be the Food concert series.

Her work extends to mentorship and advocacy for young musicians. She has directed the Dickinson Surround the State in Song Honor Choir, adjudicated for the North Dakota High School Activities Association: Vocal Music, and presented at professional development events like Hearts, Hands, Voices, an ALCM-sponsored workshop for church musicians.

As a vocalist, Kayla has received recognition for her artistry, most notably performing alongside the Bach Collegium Valparaiso in their 300th-anniversary presentation of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion. Her dedication to excellence and community engagement continues to inspire and uplift those around her.

[Cast Highlights] We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Allen Adair as The Pirate King.Bass...
08/19/2026

[Cast Highlights]

We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Allen Adair as The Pirate King.

Bass-baritone, tuba player, and piano technician Allen Adair was born and raised in Colorado. He has been making a name for himself through educational outreach and buffo/comedic roles, including roles like Uberto in La serva padrona, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, Benoit/Alcindo in La Bohème, and Superintendent Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring.

Mr. Adair has been working as a freelance vocalist across the country and performed with
ensembles including Inland Northwest Opera (WA), Roswell Symphony (NM), Garden State
Opera (NJ). Recent performances include Henry in The Gift of the Magi with Delaware Valley Opera Company (Philadelphia, PA), Zuàne in La Gioconda with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and
Papageno in The Magic Flute with Opera on the James (VA). Upcoming engagements include
Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte with Rose Chamber Opera (Denver, CO) and The Servant in the
Russian opera The Demon by Rubenstein with Bel Cantanti Opera (MD). He holds music degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and Carnegie Mellon
University.

When he’s not traveling for musical engagements, Mr. Adair works as a piano technician and substitute teacher in Philadelphia.

[Cast Highlight]We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Caroline Kouma as Mabel.Minnesota-bas...
08/17/2026

[Cast Highlight]

We are continuing our cast highlights for Pirates of Penzance with Caroline Kouma as Mabel.

Minnesota-based soprano Caroline Kouma is a vibrant performer known for her dynamic stage presence. Equally compelling in opera and musical theatre, notable roles include Marguerite (Faust), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Semele (Semele), and Stella Giovane (The Impresario), Meg (Little Women) and Rosabella (The Most Happy Fella). A passionate advocate for new music, she has premiered roles with Opera Omaha and Lyric Opera of the North and has appeared at soundSCAPE, Omaha Under the Radar, Bowling Green, and Toledo New Music festivals. Caroline has been soprano soloist for major works such as Bach’s Magnificat, Poulenc’s Gloria, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. She has performed with numerous professional vocal ensembles such as sounding light (MI/NE), Internationales Vokalensemble (Berlin), and Borealis Chamber Artists and Central Minnesota Singers (MN), and performances include such masterpieces as Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles, Steve Reich’s Tehilim, and David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion. Caroline was a Nebraska district winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and took first-place prizes in Ohio NATS, BGSU Concerto Competition, and the Marjorie Conrad Art Song Competition. She has also been recognized as a finalist in several national and international competitions.

A teaching artist, Caroline is fiercely passionate about music education and outreach for people of all ages. She has performed with Little LOON for three seasons, bringing opera into elementary schools across Minnesota as Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), and Miss Addy (The Elixir of Love). Ms. Kouma serves on the voice faculty at the University of Minnesota Duluth and teaches private lessons and Music Together classes at Encore Music Studios in Duluth.

Whether on stage or with students, Caroline is committed to creating meaningful and transformative artistic experiences. Upcoming projects include The Stuff of Happiness, a program of music by women composers with Borealis Chamber Artists, and Queen of the Night in Opera for the Young’s The Magic Flute with Little LOON. More at carolinekouma.com.

[Cast Highlight]Benjamin Boskoff returns to Badlands Opera Project to play Frederic in our production of Pirates of Penz...
08/15/2026

[Cast Highlight]

Benjamin Boskoff returns to Badlands Opera Project to play Frederic in our production of Pirates of Penzance.

Georgia native Benjamin Boskoff is an accomplished tenor, celebrated for his versatility and dynamic performances. Specializing in Bel Canto repertoire, the music of Benjamin Britten, and chamber music, Mr. Boskoff has captivated audiences with his performances in productions, recitals, and chamber concerts since 2016. His recent engagements include performances in the Czech Republic, demonstrating his international appeal and commitment to excellence in vocal performance.

Notable roles in Mr. Boskoff’s career include Peter Quint in Turn of the Screw with Red River Lyric Opera, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Lawrence Opera Theatre, Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville with Light Opera of New Jersey, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and Prince Ramiro in La Cenerentola with Opera MODO, and Count Ory in Le Comte Ory as a guest artist at Lawrence University. In 2019, Mr. Boskoff was a resident artist with Opera North, where he covered the roles of Macduff and Malcolm in Verdi’s Macbeth and later joined the cast of All is Calm. Along with his operatic repertoire, Mr. Boskoff has other theatrical professional performances as the Baker from Into the Woods, Enoch Snow from Carousel, Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (in Concert), Austin from I Love You Because, Frederick from Pirates of Penzance and Tony from West Side Story.

Recent engagements include Opera Project Columbus as Ernesto in Don Pasquale, Penn Square Music Festival as Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Dove’s Pinocchio and Puccini’s Il Trittico with Boulder Opera, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale with Opera Fort Collins, the Evangelist in Bach’s St. John’s Passion in San Antonio,TX, Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Bend, covering and comprimario work with Opera Idaho, and several recitals across the United States. Along with major operatic and concert work, Mr. Boskoff has been seen as a frequent tenor soloist and is the Director of Vocal Arts with Rossini Club Nantucket.

A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder (DMA), the University of Michigan School of Music (MM), and the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music (BM), Mr. Boskoff has established himself as a prominent vocal artist and pedagogue both in the United States and abroad.

Mr. Boskoff has studied under esteemed mentors such as Dr. Gregory Broughton, and Barbara Clark (Paver), Dr. John Seesholtz and has worked closely with renowned artists and educators including Martin Katz, Dr. Timothy Cheek, Kathleen Kelly, Copeland Woodruff, Dr. Stephen Austin, Martha Sheil, and Kenneth Bozeman. He is currently a student of George Smith in the Twin Cities area.

For more information please visit benjaminboskofftenor.com

08/07/2026

Why didn’t anyone tell me that every version of Pirates of Penzance are great?! The orchestrations from the film adaptation are awesome, the orchestrations from the most recent musical revival are also amazing.

07/30/2026

Last one for a little while, what’s a musical that makes you cry? What specific moment gets you? 😢 Let us know in the comments. ⬇️

07/29/2026

Day 3 question: You’re having a bad day and need a good laugh, what musical are you playing? Let us know in the comments. ⬇️

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Dickinson, ND
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