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Stephen Kitsakos

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Stephen Kitsakos BIO

STEPHEN KITSAKOS is a theatre director, opera librettist and educator. For the American
composer, Sheila Silver, he wrote libretti for "The Wooden Sword", winner of the 2009
Sackler Prize for Composition, "The White Rooster: A Tale of Compassion" for the
Smithsonian Institution, and for the Seattle Opera, "A Thousand Splendid Suns", adapted
from the book by Khaled Hosseini. With the composer Martin Hennessy he wrote the
opera-theatre monologues "An Incident in Sutton Square", "The Woman in Penthouse A" and
"The Pleasing Recollection of the Past". A graduate of NYU and the BMI Workshops, his
experience as an opera-theatre writer and educator has informed his approach to
directing. From 2000-2013 Kitsakos was on the full-time Theatre Arts Faculty at SUNY
New Paltz in New York’s Hudson Valley. During those years he was a contributing writer to
The Sondheim Review and Music in American Life. A recipient of grants and commissions from the Seattle Opera, National Endowment for the Arts, American Opera Projects, NYSCA, ASCAP, Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the BMI Foundation and the Episcopal Diocese of New York, his work as a librettist and theatre director has been seen in NYC at Theater Row, the National Opera Center and in major cities throughout the United States, Central and South America. He resides in Key
West, FL where he is an Artistic Associate of the multidisciplinary arts organization, The
Studios of Key West.

Stephen Kitsakos News


Drew Larimore's UPSTATE To Kick Off Inaugural 'First Look: New Plays By American Playwrights' At The Studios Of Key West


The Studios of Key West will present Drew Larimore's new play Upstate, the inaugural play in their new staged reading series “First Look: New Plays by American Playwrights.”

Review: A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS at Seattle Opera


Expectation and electricity spark the air and light the eyes of everyone waiting to witness this moment. With a collaboration of talents from around the world and spanning years of work, Seattle Opera presents the world premiere of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS. Haunting and beautiful, the story and music merge as one in this formidable show. The central truths of hope and love will echo long past the last note and curtain fall.

Streaming Play SMITHTOWN Starring Michael Urie, Ann Harada & More Returns to StudioWorks


THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST has announced the continuation of StudioWorks, a streaming theater series that brings innovative productions to at-home audiences. The final show of the season, Smithtown, is available now.

Acclaimed Filmmaker Roya Sadat Directs World Premiere of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS at Seattle Opera


When acclaimed Afghan filmmaker Roya Sadat agreed to direct the operatic premiere of A Thousand Splendid Suns, the challenges encountered by the story's Mariam and Laila, two women brought together under brutal Taliban rule, were a reminder of a traumatic period in Afghanistan's history.

Afghan Arts Festival Leads Slate of Winter Events at Seattle Opera


In conjunction with its upcoming world premiere of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Seattle Opera offers a slate of unique educational and cultural events to celebrate Afghan art, culture, and history, and provide a deeper look into the making of a new opera.

StudioWorks to Stream REPAIR Starring Leon Addison Brown and Julio Trinidad


THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST will continue StudioWorks, a streaming theater series that brings innovative productions to at-home audiences. The third show, Repair, will be available on Friday, January 13.

UNSTUCK AS F@#K Starring by Orlando Bishop Now Available to Stream on StudioWorks


THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST has announced the continuation of StudioWorks, a streaming theater series that brings innovative productions to at-home audiences. The second show, Unstuck as F@#k, is available today, Friday, December 9.

World Premiere of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS to Open at Seattle Opera in February


On February 25, 2023, McCaw Hall will host the world premiere of A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by composer Sheila Silver and librettist Stephen Kitsakos, based on the gripping novel by Khaled Hosseini.

The Studios of Key West Launches StudioWorks Series With THE MON VALLEY MEDIUM


THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST has launched StudioWorks, a streaming theater series that brings innovative productions to at-home audiences. Starting today, an original digital theater production will be released and available to stream each month.

Michael Urie, Anika Larsen, Ann Harada & More to be Featured in STUDIOWORKS Streaming Theater Series


THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST – one of the leading multidisciplinary arts & culture organizations in South Florida and the Florida Keys – is launching StudioWorks, a streaming theater series that brings innovative productions to at-home audiences.

BWW Interview: Michael Kelly of THE PLEASING RECOLLECTION at 54 Below


Opera star Michael Kelly willed this piece into existence and, now, it comes into the light. Read the story of how it happened in this new interview with BroadwayWorld Cabaret.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW Announces Performances Through the End of April


This month, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents  some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more  information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW Releases Programming for the Upcoming Week


Next week, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

New Single from THE PLEASING RECOLLECTION Released Today


“An Evening at the Theater,” the first single from The Pleasing Recollection – a playful and witty musical adventure that blends opera and cabaret – has been released in all digital and streaming platforms today, Friday, March 4. The Pleasing Recollection will make its New York debut at Feinstein’s/54 Below for two shows only on Tuesday, April 5 at 7:00 PM and Wednesday, April 6 at 9:30 PM. The Pleasing Recollection features music by Martin Hennessy and a libretto by Stephen Kitsakos.

THE PLEASING RECOLLECTION to Make New York Debut at Feinstein's/54 Below


The Pleasing Recollection – a playful and witty musical adventure that blends opera and cabaret – will make its New York debut at Feinstein’s/54 Below for two shows only on Tuesday, April 5 at 7:00 PM and Wednesday, April 6 at 9:30 PM. 

Seattle Opera Announces 2022/23 Season


Seattle Opera’s 2022/23 season will bring a poignant world premiere (A Thousand Splendid Suns), a concert performance of an alluring French powerhouse (Samson and Delilah), and stagings of three cherished favorites (The Elixir of Love, Tristan and Isolde, and La traviata) to the Seattle Opera stage.

UNSTUCK AS F*CK Starring Orlando Bishop to Premiere at The Studios Of Key West


Part TED talk, part hilarious stand-up routine, part heartbreaking drama, over the course of 70 minutes Orlando tells the fascinating story of his life-from growing up in the concrete jungle of Flatbush, Brooklyn to his years in the ivory tower of Yale-and all the ups and downs that came after.

Seattle Opera Continues Commitment To New Music And Today's Stories


Seattle Opera continues its commitment to bringing contemporary stories to Seattle audiences with two new operas for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

Anika Larsen & Freddie Will Perform In Key West At A Celebration Of Independence


Larsen and Maxwell are Distinguished Artists in Residence at The Studios, one of the premiere multidisciplinary arts & culture organizations in South Florida and the Florida Keys. They were invited by opera librettist & theater writer Stephen Kitsakos, Studios Artistic Associate & Executive Producer of the weekly livestream series Between Two Palms, to perform on The Studios new outdoor rooftop garden, Hugh's View.

Mary Testa to Join BETWEEN TWO PALMS At The Studios Of Key West To End Their First Season Of Livestream Conversations


Mary Testa will be in a deep dive chat with Executive Producer & Artistic Associate, Stephen Kitsakos on Wednesday, June 23rd from 6-7PM EDT. The weekly livestream program pairs theater, television, film, literary & visual arts personalities online for a lively, unscripted hour-long conversation produced by The Studios.

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