SAI Sisters on the UNL Opera Tour

UNL Opera's cast of "La Traviata"

This semester has marked the beginning of construction for a new music building and renovations of Kimball Recital Hall on campus. Due to this, the ensembles at UNL are getting creative when it comes to selecting a performance venue. In particular, UNL Opera's

Ella Young (left) backstage with fellow crew member

production of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, toured across the state of Nebraska. On Sunday, March 5, the cast and crew put on a wonderful first performance at The Golden Husk Theater in Ord. A few weeks later, on Wednesday, March 22, the production had its second performance in town at Lincoln North Star High School for family and friends to attend. The very next morning, the cast and crew loaded a bus and took the show on the road again to Scottsbluff. Along the way, there were several stops at prominent Nebraskan landmarks, such as Chimney Rock, Scott's Bluff, and Carhenge. While in Scottsbluff, the cast performed excerpts from the opera at Gering Middle School, as well as a small concert for the supporters of The Midwest Theater. On Saturday, March 25, the La Traviata cast took the stage for the last time at The Midwest Theater.

Curtain call after UNL Opera's performance in Lincoln, NE. Pictured (from left to right) are cast members Rylee Worstell, Josh Pitt, Sam Kennedy, Hayden Fuelberth, Abbi Brundrett, Alex LaVake, Sarah Wibben, and Annika Burds

The cast and crew were very grateful for the welcoming environment and the generosity shown by the communities of both Ord and Scottsbluff. Two SAI members were featured in the production: Abbi Brundrett sang the role of Annina, as well as being part of the ensemble, and Ella Young was the production's stage manager.