Creative Team
CHARLES R. SMITH, JR., story and lead librettist
Award-winning author, photographer, and poet with over thirty books to his credit, including a Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration (2010) for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem “My People” and a Coretta Scott King Honor Author Award (2008) for his biography on Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. Early books such as Rimshots, Hoop Kings, and Hoop Queens focus on his love of basketball.
GLEN ROVEN, Lead composer in memoriam
Late four-time Emmy-winning composer Roven recently premiered Symphony No. 2 at Lincoln Center with the National Chorale. His 36 song cycles have been performed around the world. Roven’s Violin Concerto debuted at Carnegie Hall with Glenn Close narrating, having also been recorded by Brooke Shields, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and others. He was most recently known for his setting of the Hillary Speeches. Unfinished works include a symphony, two musicals, and two operas, with performances in NYC, Santa Fe, and London, among others.
GRETHE BARRETT HOLBY, CONCEPT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Collaborated with Leonard Bernstein, Lou Reed, Robert Wilson, and Yusef Komunyakaa; performances at Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Houston Grand Opera, La Scala, & across the country. Originating cast member of Einstein on the Beach. Founding Artistic & Executive Director of Ardea Arts & Family Opera Initiative; Founder of American Opera Projects. Rockefeller Fellowship Recipient, holds B.S. and M.Arch. degrees from MIT.
TOMÁS DONCKER, ADDITIONAL MUSIC
Global Soul composer and producer. Directs, composes, and performs with his ensemble, Tomás Doncker Band. Guitarist for James Chance & The Contortions, Defunct, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz. Collaborated with Boosty Collins, Yoko Ono, The Itals, & Prince Charles Alexander. Current Project with Ivan Neville, Bonnie Raitt, Meshell Ndegocello, In Living Color’s Corey Glover, P-Funk keyboardist AmpFiddler Shamekia Copeland, & Bill Laswell.
dj ansølo (ANSEL ELGORT), HIP-HOP and edm TRACKS,
A DJ, producer, singer, and actor, Elgort has performed in major EDM concert venues and festivals around the world. He was nominated the 2017 Golden Globe Best Actor for his role in Baby Driver. Currently in pre-production on a new Stephen Spielberg adaptation of West Side Story, his past credits include Carrie, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, and the Divergent series. He is signed with Island Records and a graduate of LaGuardia Arts High School.
BETH GUTCHEON, ADDITIONAL STORY and LIBRETTO
Beth Gutcheon has twelve novels in print, a New York Times bestselling author. She is also a vested member of the Writers Guild of America, with some dozen studio feature screenplays to her credit, as well as the narration for the documentary Children of Theatre Street, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
frank x walker, additional libretto and lyrics
Former Kentucky Poet Laureate, Walker is a founder of the Affrilachian Poets and the author of nine collections of poetry. Voted one of the most creative professors in the South, he is the originator of the word “Affrilachia.” A Lannan Poetry Fellowship Award recipient, he has degrees from UKY and Spalding University as well as four honorary doctorates from UKY, Spalding University, Centre College, and Transylvania University.
Dr. Everett mccorvery, project music director
Professor of Voice, OperaLex Endowed Chair in Opera Studies, and Director and Executive Producer of University of Kentucky Opera Theatre: Artistic Director of the National Chorale, New York City; Director of American Spiritual Ensemble; Vice Chair Kentucky Arts Council. Professional Credits: Kentucky Center, Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Communal (Italy), Radio Music City Hall. A basketball fan, he often sings the National Anthem for Kentucky Wildcats games.
Cast & Instrumentation
PRINCIPAL CAST
Seven Main Singers
Flight (bass-baritone)
Future (baritone)
Coach (tenor)
Sabrina (soprano: jazz/some belt)
Daphne (lyric mezzo)
Mrs. Lucas (gospel)
Mrs. Harris (mezzo/soprano)
Rap Artist “Poet” (authentic rapper)
Game Announcer (experienced freestyle play-by-play commentator)
Three Basketball Players/Acting Experience (many lines, helpful if able to sing only)
Ajax (great point guard, ball handler, and shooter)
Odell (great basketball player - nice if good singer)
Akili (great basketball player-experienced actor)
CHORUS/ENSEMBLE
(required) best if from home city; we can travel with our own team if necessary
6-7 Excellent Male or Female Basketball Players (Community Ambassadors) (requires one-week additional basketball rehearsals)
5-6 Female Singers (requires one week rehearsal with full cast, music memorized)
5-6 Male Singers (requires one week rehearsal with full cast, music memorized)
1 Police Officer (actor)
1 Young Boy (actor)
REQUIRED GUEST APPEARANCE
(required) best if from home city
1 Pro Basketball Player (6’6” + or taller than Flight, must show dunk)
1 Ball Bouncer
GUEST CAMEO ROLES
(optional, and preferably from the local community)
1 Police Officer (requires one hour rehearsal and memorize a few lines)
1 Guest Game Commentator (color commentator; local radio or TV sports celeb makes it fun)
1 Guest Reporter (requires one hour rehearsal and lines - local radio or TV sports celeb makes it fun)
1 Guest Basketball Coach (local coach or player preferred - no lines, but some staging/responsibilities)
Local Cheerleading Squad (fun but not necessary - two rehearsals required)
Note: Any younger basketball players or students can participate as fans or teammates sitting on the bench. Requires rehearsal during run-throughs
BAND
local band possible for extended run (or we can travel with core band; optional musicians guest in)
Minimum: 1 keyboard, 1 synthesizer; or piano and rhythm.
Touring Band:
Keyboard One (Piano)
Keyboard Two (Synth)
Electric Bass
Drum Set
Glen Roven’s “Dream Ensemble”)
2 Keyboards
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Percussion
Trumpet
Trombone
2 Saxophones
Technical Specifications
For Performances on a Full Basketball Court
LENGTH
Four Acts (“Quarters” like in a basketball game): Two hours with an intermission
VENUE
Our stage is a basketball court. The only limitation is overly reverberant facilities.
SOUND
Wireless head microphones, wireless handheld microphones, band stand, stage monitors
Outdoor courts only: PA systems monitors for the spectator area
LIGHTING
Outdoor courts: natural light or spotlights at night.
Indoor courts: minimal theatrical lighting preferred.
Theatrical venues: full theatrical lighting preferred.
ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL ELEMENTS
Preferred but not critical are:
Electronic programmable scoreboard.
Video.
FOR OUTDOOR VENUES — PROVIDE RAIN DATE OR INDOOR BACKUP VENUE
Full tech rider available on request. Please contact us.
