The Nation's Leading Disability-Affirmative Opera Company, Opera Praktikos, Premieres Groundbreaking Reimagination of La Sonnambula

New York, NY (For Release 09.15.26) — Leading the vanguard in interabled opera, Opera Praktikos presents the world premiere of its latest project La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) as part of National Sawdust’s 2026 makemake Festival. In a one-night only concert performance on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, this unique 90-minute work transforms Bellini-Romani’s classic masterwork into an unparalleled integrated experience where Italian song and American Sign Language become one expressive whole. Featuring arrangement and orchestration by Spicer Carr, ASL translation & integration by Brandon Kazen-Maddox, Director of Artistic Sign Language by Patrice Creamer; Book, and English translation by Marianna Mott Newirth, this production integrates ASL and Deaf culture into the narrative of a classic opera setting the standard for what’s possible when Disability-creativity is brought into the field.    

“Working with an interabled team, we view Romani’s story through a disability lens, building a deeply familiar yet entirely distinct work. Our abridgement asks universal questions of belonging, examining the complex relationships people with disabilities have with one another and with the community at large.” 

- GREG MOOMJY, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Opera Praktikos

In this 2026 retelling of an 1831 story, the historical misunderstandings of somnambulism serve a powerful metaphor for society’s contemporary barriers to understanding disability.  Featuring two very talented performers in the lead roles, Deaf actress Treshelle Edmond signs Lisa and Aja Nile-Brimm sings Amina with an extraordinary cast and orchestra behind them. 

“The process of integrating ASL with opera requires a lot of advanced work and clear communication. Honoring Deaf culture and opera culture as distinct and complementary expressions of art takes time and understanding. As we learn best ways to collaborate, we discover something new in the classic works. We hope LaSonnambula becomes a model for other opera companies to produce interabled-works for future programming.” 

- MARIANNA MOTT NEWIRTH, Executive Producer and Co-Founder of Opera Praktikos

About Spicer Carr    
Spicer Carr (He/Him) is a New York City based Composer-Lyricist and Conductor, specializing in Opera and Musical Theater. Spicer’s popular Christmas opera Four Lost Santas has played to sold out audiences around the globe in multiple productions since its world premiere in 2024. Current projects include composing The Traveling Companion and Too Bright to See. Spicer’s vocal catalogue includes U Up?, Chance the Snapper, The Rocking Boy, Fluffernutter, Sabbath. His instrumental work includes Of no Concern, Nocturnes for an Insomniac, Lunch Rush, and Daydreams. Spicer’s work has been commissioned, developed, supported, and performed by Joe’s Pub/The Public Theatre, Autistic Theatre Makers Alliance, The Opera People, Opera Las Vegas, Dublin Conservatoire, Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento, Opera Praktikos, Opera America, Opera Orlando, Cincinnati Song Initiative, The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Quintessence Theatre Group, Really Spicy Opera, The TYE Center, MusiCoLab, Temple University Theater, Temple Opera Theatre, and The Purple Crayon Players.

About Brandon Kazen-Maddox    
Brandon is an ASL Artist, actor, choreographer, director, acrobat, educator and public speaker. A Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA) and third-generation native signer of American Sign Language (ASL), Brandon is co-founder of Up Until Now Collective: a company committed to building new structures for artistic creation. Recipient: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Grant; a 2022 Creative Capital Award, and a 2023 Mertz-Gilmore Foundation Grant for (FREEDOM). Other honors: Gucci's 2022 Chime-for-Change: Visions for a Feminist Future, Partners Global 2023 Art for Marginalized Communities Inclusivity Award and the Miranda Family Foundation’s RISE Theater Directory (Circle of Advocates). Brandon was a 2025 Artist in Residence for WNET/ALL ARTS and you can watch their first TEDx Talk, “Channeling the Spirit of the Music in ASL.”

About Patrice Creamer - Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL)    
Patrice Creamer (she/her) was one of the first Deaf theatrical interpreters on Broadway when she debuted in Having Our Say. She went on to interpret for Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, and Wicked. Patrice has also been the Director of Artistic Sign Language for over 15 Off-Broadway productions including Red Bull Theater’s production of The Witch of Edmonton, The Duchess of Malfi, The Maids, Loot and The Mystery of Irma Vep; The Papermill Playhouse’s production of The Color Purple; The Public’s Theater’s Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enough and A Raisin in the Sun; The Brooklyn Academy of Music’s production called the Barbershop Chronicles and On Broadway productions including Lion King, Birthday Candles, Hadestown, and Kimberly Akimbo. Queens Theatre’s production of Nikki Brake-Sillá's reading SAY IT AIN’T SO. Classic Stage Company’s production of Marcus Gardley's play, black odyssey.    

About makemake Festival    
makemake debuts this year as National Sawdust’s annual festival inviting artists to imagine futures - making, remixing, rethinking. Named after the dwarf planet that reshaped how we define a world, and the Rapa Nui creator deity of fertility - makemake is about generating new forms: of art, of access, of community. This is a festival that celebrates imagination, and the radical invitation to ratify accessibility by design, not as an afterthought. This is a festival that centers the belief that care is crucial, and that equity is essential. This is a festival for everyone, but especially for those who want to shape what comes next. 

About Opera Praktikos    
Opera Praktikos (OPrak), established in 2021, proudly stands as New York City's pioneering disability-affirmative opera company. Its mission is to make opera an inclusive and accessible art form for audiences and artists alike by crafting exceptional opera productions that transcend conventional barriers related to class, economic status, and physical challenges. Through deliberate reinterpretations of classical operas and the commissioning of new works, it aims to ensure that artists and audience members can readily identify with the stories and lived experiences of people with disabilities being portrayed on the stage. OPrak is dedicated to breaking down stereotypes about disability and fostering an inclusive and accessible opera community in the heart of New York City. OperaPraktikos.org