As part of its 2017 season, The Glimmerglass Festival presented the world-premiere hip-hop opera Stomping Grounds, a show written entirely in verse blending hip-hop, spoken word and opera. The production traveled to 11 regional community venues throughout New York State and three in New York City, in performance workshops and discussions hosted by librettist, director and choreographer Paige Hernandez, an acclaimed performer, director, and playwright known for her effective fusion of theater, hip-hop, dance and education.
Written by Hernandez and composed by Victor Simonson, Stomping Grounds offered positive affirmation about cultural identity, diversity, and connection to home in an hour-long piece. The development of Stomping Grounds and related public programs was made possible by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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Quick Look:
Creating Stomping Grounds
A quick look at one of the first readings of Victor Simonson and Paige Hernandez's hip-hopera, Stomping Grounds.
In Rehearsal
A look inside the rehearsal process for the world premiere, 2017.