Parable of the Sower (MSAB)

Director Kathleen Spehar and Deputy Director Ross Willits were award $68,000 by the MSAB Arts Tour for the Parable of Sower. Toshi Reagon’s opera was adapted from the post-apocalyptical novel Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, and blends science fiction with African-American spiritualism and deep insights on gender and race to construct a mesmerizing meditation on the future of human civilization. The O’Shaughnessy stands as a touchstone for the campus, a performing arts venue for the community, and offers the Twin Cities audiences a dynamic mix of local, national and international artists such as Kevin Kling, James Sewell, Meredith Monk and Angelique Kidjo. It partners with area dance companies such as TU Dance and Ananya Dance Theater to develop and premiere new work and diversify audiences. In addition to the performances, outreach activities will include community discussions, open rehearsals, talkbacks, workshops and classroom visits. The project lends itself especially to conversations about climate change and resource scarcity, as well as connections to literary and opera audiences