
The Tender Land
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” - George Bernard Shaw It is an inherit human need to want to be acknowledged, to be understood, to be heard. Everyone needs to have a voice. Our society listens to respond instead of listening to understand. We do not take the time to actively engage the people in our lives. We move so quickly that all meaning is lost. This is an issue at the heart of Aaron Copland's The Tender Land. On sta


Joseph Hodge on Copland
I had the opportunity to sit down with conductor, Joseph A. Hodge this week and learn more about his feelings on The Tender Land and the experience so far. Rachel - I imagine you've conducted many pieces by Aaron Copland in your career! Can you remember the first piece you conducted by him? Joseph - The first piece by Copland that I ever conducted was Appalachian Spring, the chamber orchestra arrangement for 13 instruments—interestingly enough, the same exact orchestration we


Tender Land Tuesday Feature - Jermaine Woodard Jr.
Happy Tuesday, opera fans! Our final cast feature is baritone, Jermaine Woodard Jr. Jermaine will be playing the role of Mr. Jenks in The Tender Land. If you do not have your tickets...what are you waiting for?!? Visit Today Tix online or their app and get them today! Jermaine Woodard Jr. is a graduate in Voice Performance from The University of Hartford’s Hartt School studying with Cherie Caluda and Eric Trudel. Jermaine has performed in several opera productions with Virgin


Tender Tand Tuesday - Schauntice Marshall
It's Tuesday! Today, we are featuring soprano, Schauntice Marshall who will be playing the role of Mrs. Jenks in The Tender Land. If you don't have your tickets yet, head over to The Tender Land page and click buy tickets. We want to see you on June 2 & 4 at the Aetna Theater! Check back here later this week for more exciting announcements! The Washington, D.C. soprano, Schauntice Marshall, has a golden gift to touch and warm your heart, and has a refreshing sense of wholenes


Spotlight Sunday - Michael McAvoy
It's Spotlight Sunday time! Today, we are featuring baritone, Michael McAvoy. He will be playing Top in The Tender Land -- June 2 & 4 at the Aetna Theatre at the Wadsworth Atheneum. To purchase tickets click here. Baritone Michael McAvoy is a Connecticut native and graduate of UCONN, where he earned his Vocal Performance degree studying under Dr. Constance Rock. He won first place in Opera Theatre of Connecticut’s Amici Vocal Competition and later played Curio in their produ


Tender Land Tuesday Feature - Nigel Rowe
It is Tuesday and time to introduce you to another member of The Tender Land cast. Today's featured artist is tenor, Nigel Rowe. Nigel will be playing the role of Mr. Splinters. If you have not purchased your tickets for the show, you can do so on our website and learn more about the production by connecting to the Tender Land page. Nigel is a native of West Hartford, CT and attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, sparking his interest in theatre and classical musi


Spotlight Sunday - Janelle Robinson
Happy Spotlight Sunday, everyone! We are very excited to present our featured artist, Janelle Robinson who will be singing the role of Ma Moss in The Tender Land on June 2 & 4 at The Aetna Theatre at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Tickets are going fast! You can purchase them through our website by clicking here. For the past twenty years, Janelle Anne Robinson has enjoyed an ongoing professional career on the operatic and musical theater stage. Her performances span s


Tender Land Tuesday Feature - Caleb Alexander & Lindsay Cabaniss
It's Tuesday, which means it is time for more artist features! This time we are happy to introduce Caleb Alexander and Lindsay Cabaniss. Caleb and Lindsay will both be part of the ensemble and covering Mr. & Mrs. Splinters respectively. If you do not have your tickets for The Tender Land you can purchase them now through our website. Just click the red box at the top of the page. Caleb Alexander is a sophomore in vocal performance at the Hartt School of Music. He is looking f


Tender Land Tuesday Feature - Thomas Laskowski & Alyson Sheehan
Today, we kick off our Tender Land Tuesday Artist Features. We will be showcasing members of our cast for Copland's The Tender Land on June 2 & 4 at the Aetna Theater at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art both during our regular Spotlight Sunday features and on Tuesdays. Baritone Thomas Laskowski and soprano Alyson Sheehan are up first! Remember if you want to see Tom & Alyson on stage in The Tender Land, tickets go on sale THIS SUNDAY and will be available through our webs


Spotlight Sunday - Robert Barefield
Hello Connecticut! We are happy to being featuring members of the cast of The Tender Land which will be at the Aetna Theater at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art on June 2 & 4. Lots more details can be found on The Tender Land page on our website. Learn about our accessibility efforts for this production as well as what is in store for you when you come to the theater. Check back because tickets go on sale one week from today - April 30th! Today's spotlight is baritone, Ro