BOUNCE The Basketball Opera – An American Story Told Through Basketball
Based on ‘The Flight of Icarus,’ BOUNCE tells the story of a high school basketball player bound for stardom, shot during a street game on a basketball court, and deals with the impact of gun violence and what it takes to come back from trauma and tragedy to fly again. Told through an exciting marriage of basketball, music, and the performing arts, it also deals with the school-to-prison pipeline, the importance of equity in education, and how decisions made at a young age can define the course of the rest of a person’s life. BOUNCE also celebrates America’s love for the game, the opportunities it brings, and how basketball itself saves and transforms lives.
BOUNCE tells this story with American music ranging from Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, Jazz, Musical Theater, Gospel, and the “dunk” of opera -some high notes. Performed and played on a basketball court with a cast of basketball players, singers, guest artists, and local and celebrity appearances, BOUNCE brings its powerful message to where the audiences already are – the Basketball Court. We have performed at Holcombe Rucker Park, Barclays Center, NYC Pier 17, and more. The Brooklyn Nets was a major supporter in 2019; NIKE donated all the uniforms, shoes and athletic clothing.
BOUNCE brings people together from all walks of life – as audience, as participants, and as performers, to confront important social issues as one community, working together across all our differences. That’s the power behind BOUNCE. Our partners include the Rucker Pro Legends’ Each One Teach One, and Basketball programs in the Bronx and in Brooklyn. We have also sung with the New York Police Department during Harlem Week, and the Museum of the City of NY.
Creative team
Charles R Smith, JR.
STORY AND LEAD LIBRETTIST
Glen Roven
LEAD COMPOSER IN MEMORIAM
Grethe Barrett Holby
CONCEPT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Tomás Doncker
ADDITIONAL MUSIC
dj ansølo (ANSEL ELGORT)
HIP-HOP AND EDM TRACKS
Beth Gutcheon
ADDITIONAL STORY and LIBRETTO
Frank X Walker
ADDITIONAL LIBRETTO AND LYRICS
Dr. Everett McCorvey
PROJECT MUSIC DIRECTOR
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. FOR OUTDOOR VENUES — PROVIDE RAIN DATE OR INDOOR BACKUP VENUE
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.