Image Credit: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Image Credit: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

“RACE” CHRONICLES THE JOURNEY OF DOLPHUS STROUD BLAZING A PATH FOR BLACK ATHLETES AND SCHOLARS FROM COLORADO SPRINGS TO BOSTON.
ABOUT
RACE is an Opera inspired by the life story of Kelley Dolphus Stroud, a Colorado Springs resident, and an American of African, Native, and European descent, who rose to be a star scholar-athlete projected to win the 5k Olympic trials in 1928. His story, exhibiting excellence, uniquely stunning achievement, love, and determination, starts when he is denied funding to travel from Colorado Springs to Boston for the Olympic trial.

DETERMINED to make it to the starting line, Stroud mostly walks and runs 2,000 miles across defacto segregated America. Through visions and memories he corresponds with his mystical Aunt Jennie, pragmatic sister, Effie, and competitive brother, Tandy. As he recounts his journey, their voices become his counterpoint and strength. Tragically, he arrives at the race on time but loses due to malnutrition and exhaustion.

CREATED AND CONCEIVED BY

 

Race the opera is a project of the International Brazilian Opera Company developed in partnership with the Stroud Family. We’ve asked you to visit this page because you may be capable of assisting in the commission, donation, and sponsorship for this significant American story. Let’s start a conversation to advance American opera with diverse representation. With your help, the opera will be premiered in Fall 2024, Colorado Springs.

International Brazilian Opera Company is a New York 501c3 registered non-profit.

CONTACT US

 

Brazilianopera.com

contact@brazilianopera.com

203 W.111th Street, 4A NYC, NY 10026

Idris
IDRIS GOODWIN
CO-LIBRETTIST
Idris Goodwin is a multiple award-winning playwright, breakbeat poet, content creator and arts champion. A 2021 United States Artist Fellow, Goodwin is recognized as a culture bearer who celebrates community values and cultivates histories with care.  Idris is the author of over 60 original plays ranging from his Hip Hop inspired breakbeat series to historical dramas to works for young audiences. Goodwin’s created original content for and/or appeared on Nickelodeon, HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, and the Discovery Channel.
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Idris
Ashley
ASHLEY CORNELIUS
CO-LIBRETTIST

Ashley Cornelius is the Pikes Peak Region Poet

Laureate based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She is a nationally recognized and award-winning

spoken-word poet, facilitator, and keynote

speaker. Her poetry reflects her intersectionality as a Black woman and works towards art equity. Ashley Cornelius is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) and has a master’s in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver. Ashley received the Bee an Arts Champion Award from the Bee Vradenburg Foundation. She is a 2021 Colorado Springs Business Journal Rising Star. She is the 2019 gold winner of the Colorado Springs Independent Best of Artist Category. She competed at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in 2018. She is a two-time Tedx speaker.

Race the Opera Frank Shines Dolphus Stroud IBOC
FRANK SHINES
DRAMATURG
Stroud family descendant, will lead the family with the protagonists’ children, Juanita (Stroud) Martin and Connie (Stroud) Loury in gathering stories and guide the authentic mood of the work. Frank Shines is an Air Force veteran and award-winning IBM Principal.
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Race the Opera Frank Shines Dolphus Stroud IBOC
Christina Morgan
CHRISTINA MORGAN
EDITOR
A founding member and Secretary of the IBOC Board, Christina Morgan has been a professional writer and editor for over ten years. She has worked at some of the world’s most prestigious publishing houses including HarperCollins and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt where she was privileged to work with some of the world’s most renowned authors including Umberto Eco, Jose Saramago, Alice Walker, and others. She is a graduate of Oberlin College and a lifelong classical music enthusiast.
Race the Opera Frank Shines Dolphus Stroud IBOC
ATHENA AZEVEDO
VISUAL DIRECTOR
award winning creative director, photographer, and, iboc executive director, Athena Azevedo, will oversee the team, visual concept, and development of the new work.
Race the Opera Frank Shines Dolphus Stroud IBOC
JOÃO
JOÃO MACDOWELL
COMPOSITION MENTOR
Artistic Director of IBOC and composer, JoÃo MacDowell will provide compositional mentorship to the selected composer. In particular through his praxis of polyculturalism and polyharmony.
SPONSOR
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SEEKING
DONORS
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OPERA PREMIERE 2024
Would you like to discuss making a larger impact?

 

Sponsorship and Co-Commission Opportunities.

 

Please email info@racetheopera.com

 

Prefer to give by:

 

Check: payable to “International Brazilian Opera Company”

203 West 111th Street, 4A, NYC, NY 10026

 

Venmo: ibrazilianopera@gmail.com

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info@racetheopera.com
203 West 111th Street, 4A
New York, NY 10026
646.922.7640
Race is an opera developed by the International Brazilian Opera Company.

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