She Breathes Fire at HERE Arts

(Photo Credit: Lindsay Clipner)

She Breathes Fire composed by Stacy Busch will present a work-in-progress showing on Saturday, November 2 at HERE Arts Center. She Breathes Fire dismantles patriarchal systems and toxic gender binaries by recontextualizing the Hero’s Journey through a feminist lens. This new opera will eventually be a 3-part opera cycle chronicling the fantasy world of Shey. The world is occupied by Saeya, a race of gender-expansive women who are the birthers of the Earth. Saeya live exceedingly long lives and have magical powers based on their connection to the land.

With music direction by Mila Henry and Neal Long, and choreography by Oscar Trujillo, She Breathes Fire will feature a cast of 9 vocalists and movers, including Mirai Sinde, Emara Neymour Jackson, Abagael Cheng, Uila Marx, Marie Lloyd Paspe, Sam McReynolds, Alexis Borth, Lukas Papenfusscline, and Sydney Anderson.

The work-in-progress showing is being presented free of charge, but seat reservations must be made due to limited availability. 

If you are a presenter or press representative who wishes to attend the reading, please choose a VIP ticket to ensure the best seats, with code SBFVIP. 

Click here for ticketing information and purchases.

LOCATION

HERE Arts Center

145 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013

New York, NY 10013

About the Composer/Creator

Stacy Busch (she/her) is a composer/performer who utilizes her voice with electronics to build unique sound worlds. Her work is a meeting point between art pop, avant-classical and singer-songwriter. In 2023, Stacy was a finalist for the Pinnacle Prize, an award given to community leaders under 40 who are committed to improving the quality of life for all Kansas Citians. Stacy is a 2022 OneBeat Virtual Fellow for Global Music Leaders and she received the 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Award. Stacy has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid America Arts Alliance ArtsKC, ArtSounds, Charlotte Street Foundation and the UMKC Women's Council. Stacy received her MM in composition from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and her BM in composition from Western Michigan University.

About The Why Collective

The Why Collective was established in 2021 by Creative Director, Sydney Anderson, as a rotating roster of artists and thinkers dedicated to a roundtable style of artistic inception and creation. Collective artists are invited to work together without the traditional hierarchy of leadership roles. During their inaugural 2023 Off-Broadway residency at Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre, the collective premiered four interdisciplinary theatre works, including MIXT: A Living Gallery, (an immersive soundscape), The Smallest Sound, in The Smallest Space (an operatic play), Words of the Prophets (an ASL ballet), and The Womxn Have Something to Say (an evening of music and movement monologues). So far in 2024 the collective has held residences at Westbeth Artist Housing and The Bechdel Project, and will present a Core Production with The Tank NYC in Fall 2025.