Congratulations to student Caitlin Barclay, who was awarded a $10,000 Kohler Arts Foundation scholarship to further her vocal studies this fall at Carthage College. Tyler Williams, who has worked with me for five years, has just been offered a contract for the Turandot chorus with Florentine Opera. Congratulations as well to former student Katie Phillips, who, having finished her senior year at Interlochen Arts Academy, will now be attending Westminster Choir College and studying with dramatic soprano Sharon Sweet. Marielle Schuchardt was recently a finalist in the Sheboygan’s Got Talent competition. Holland White is performing at Maximillian’s this summer. Rachel O’Keefe will be performing in Kohler’s Taste of Italy event. Casey Campbell was just cast as Javert, and Ben Johnson, as the Bishop, in Sheboygan North-South High Schools’ upcoming production of Les Miserables.
Jun26
Studio News
Posted in: News, Studio
May31
“Opera for All” in the News!
Posted in: News, Performance
I am a teaching artist for Chicago Opera Theatre, in residence in two inner-city Chicago schools year-round with my fellow TA and COT Education Director Linden Christ. We recently presented this year’s final performance of the kids’ opera “School Rules!” at Clinton Elementary School. 4th and 5th grade kids wrote the music and lyrics and created props with the help of composer Adam Busch and artist Sonja Henderson, as well as the late great Mary Scruggs of Second City Theatre. Here is a link to a short Chicago TV news story on Clinton’s performance! http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=186506&terms=OperaMay23
This Fall at Next Act Theatre
Posted in: News, Performance, Studio
I’m pleased to announce that I will be making my debut with Next Act Theatre this fall in “The Exonerated”, their dramatic season opener in their new Third Ward space! Based on true stories of people wrongly convicted to, and later freed from, death row, this show confronts the human and spiritual price we pay as the only first world society that still imposes capital punishment. I will be playing Sandra/Sue, wives of two freed death row inmates.In other news, student Caitlin Barclay was awarded a $10,000 merit scholarship to pursue her studies in voice at Carthage College by the Kohler Foundation. She was one of five Sheboygan high school senior finalists competing for $60,000 in scholarships sponsored by the Kohler Foundation:
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20110428/SHE04/104280356/Top-high-school-musicians-will-perform-Sunday-Kohler-Arts-Center-Senior-Honor-RecitalMay8
2010-2011 OPERA for ALL:
Teaching to the Test, or Creative Initiative?I’ll never forget the unexpected response I and my teaching partner, Chicago Opera Theatre Education Director Linden Christ, received last year after inviting Opera for All elementary school students to participate in a creative project intended to enhance their understanding of an opera plot.
We instructed students to make a collage of a scene from the opera, and showed them an example. We presented them with the materials creative dreams are made of: colorful construction paper, glitter, sticky “jewels”, patterned backgrounds, 64 Crayolas, magazines to cut . . .items my inner child found tantalizing, but which these kids found perplexing. “What do we do?” they said, confusion and very real anxiety evident in their faces and voices. “Is this right?” they asked, holding up forlorn, virtually naked pieces of paper or results that were exact copies of the example we provided.
The kids didn’t know how, were afraid to, create.
Read MoreApr13
is getting rave reviews from critics in Milwaukee! Presented at Carte Blanche Studios under the direction of Jimmy Dragolovich, the musical also features vocal direction by me (I also play Betty, pictured here in costume) and choreography by Samantha Paige, who also plays Pippi. The common theme emerging in the reviews is that the cast presents this fabulously trashy musical with a lot of heart, giving the show a perhaps unexpected depth. Here are links to some very nice reviews and previews; we were also featured in Milwaukee Magazine this month. Show runs this weekend, takes a break for Easter weekend, and closes May 1. Visit www.carteblanchestudios.com for tickets and other info!Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/119532979.htmlMilwaukee Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/theatre-in-milwaukee/corn-dogs-with-heartache-on-the-side-the-great-american-trailer-park-musical-reviewShepherd Express
http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-14485-carte-blanches-charming-trailer-park-musical.htmlMilwaukee Magazine Preview
http://www.insidemilwaukee.com/Article/482011-TheGreatAmericanTrailerParkMusicalApr6
I’ve been busy for the past month with rehearsals for this trashy, hilarious, and strangely heartwarming musical with Carte Blanche Studios. A storm’s a brewin at Armadillo Acres, North Florida’s most exclusive trailer park, after Pippi, a stripper on the run from her crazy ex-boyfriend, arrives and starts a relationship with Norbert, a toll collector married to Jeannie, an agoraphobic who hasn’t left her trailer in 20 years. Neighbors Betty (trailer park manager), Lin (former Ted Nugent roadie) and the hysterically pregnant Pickles get sucked into a wave of lies, lust, and Miller Lite. The score is an homage to country western, blues, and rock, although a disco number and some Andrews sisters trio singing sneak in as well. I play Betty and have also been vocal directing and conducting the kick-ass band! We’ve got a great cast and the show is sure to be a hit. Contact Carte Blanche Studios to reserve your tickets ASAP, y’all!Mar30
Studio News
Posted in: News, Studio
My students have been accomplishing extraordinary things this spring! Congratulations to Caitlin Barclay, who is one of five finalists for the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship; up to 60k, awarded to two graduating high school seniors in Sheboygan County for artistic merit. Caitlin was also recently named an alternate for Kids in Wisconsin and received a four-year music scholarship of 20k at Carthage College. Genevieve Gannon, who just completed a run as Babe in the Plymouth HS production of Good News, received a substantial music scholarship at St. Norbert’s College.
In other studio news, Brynn Crocker, Kayla Hang, Susan, Jim, and Ben Johnson, and Caitlin Barclay were all cast in the upcoming STC production of Guys and Dolls. Danielle Rammer is performing in the Lakeland Production of Godspell. Michelle White is starring as Jeannie in Carte Blanche Studios’ upcoming production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical in Milwaukee, WI. Jocelyn Dawson is rehearsing for a local production of Anything Goes. Erin Walton is in rehearsal with Soulstice Theatre for their upcoming production of American Enterprise. Rich Kottke, Lauren Ensor, Genevieve Gannon, Brynn Crocker, Hannah Miller, Michelle Zuehlke, and Caitlin Barclay were all advanced to the state level for Solo & Ensemble, in addition to Rachel O’Keefe and Erika Herrman, who competed in earlier rounds.
I’m so proud of all my students and their numerous accomplishments!
Mar27
Raves for “codadiva” !
Posted in: Uncategorized
Liysa Callsen’s “codadiva” drew a full house and critical approval on opening night! Read a review from Russ Bickerstaff of the Shepherd-Express here: http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/blog-6680-liysa-is-an-amazing-artist-and-her-ability-to-relay-.htmlMar26
Premiere of “codadiva” tonight!
Posted in: News, Performance
Liysa Callsen’s new one-woman show, “codadiva”, opens tonight at 7 pm at the Vox Box. The Vox Box is located at the Marian Center for Non-Profits, 3211 S. Lake St. Suite 423. Tickets are $10. Cash bar. To purchase tickets in advance, visit the Facebook event. Liysa’s solo exploration of the isolation and insights arising from experiences growing up hearing in a deaf household will speak to everyone. To read a preview article by Damien Jaques of onmilwaukee.com, click here: http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/codacourage.htmlMar17
The Vox Box is proud to present the premiere of Liysa Callsen’s autobiographical tragicomedy, “codadiva,” March 26 and April 2 at 7 pm! Liysa’s powerful and poignant retelling of her experiences growing up “coda”, (a child of deaf adults) demonstrates how she transformed the isolation of difference into the empowerment of individuality. Part theatre, part dance, and part inspiration, codadiva will be performed in American Sign Language by Liysa with spoken interpretation. Silence has never been so eloquent. Visit the Facebook event to reserve your tickets ($12 each); seating is limited. The Vox Box is located in the Marian Center for Non-Profits at 3211 S Lake St., Suite 423, in Milwaukee, WI.
About Lisa Golda
With experience and training that bridges both the operatic and musical theatre worlds, Lisa Golda is active in the greater Wisconsin and Chicago areas as both a performer and a teacher. Read More