Feature Friday
Angie Keeton (Teaching Artist)
What made you decide on a career in the arts?
Angie Keeton (Teaching Artist)
I don’t know if you really get to decide. Many talented folks try so hard for so long and still never get the chance to make this their full-time job. Hard work, sacrifice and luck all play into the equation when it comes to any non-profit work in the arts. Originally I was going to study medicine, but caught the performing bug in High School. With a LOT of encouragement from my teacher and even MORE counseling for my parents, I was lucky enough to get to study music in college and have been ten times as lucky to be able to make a living performing and teaching.
How long have you been working with opera?
I hadn’t even seen an opera until I was 18 years old. It was La traviata at Opera Theater of St. Louis. I wept my eyes out and decided that THAT was what I wanted to do. But I performed in my first opera 3 years later as a junior in college (Faust).
My first time in a show with Minnesota Opera was as a supernumerary in Rigoletto in 2003. I started as the Teaching Artist in early 2004. My 2 sad years away makes this my 6th FULL season serving as Teaching Artist.
What do you think makes Minnesota Opera unique from other companies?
I have never felt part of a work “family” more than with Minnesota Opera. Although the company produces opera and opera education programs that are world-class, there is still a small-company charm about it. Everyone is so committed to making a great experience for the artists and partrons. I am very proud to say that I work for this company.
Is there any “haute” backstage gossip you would like to share from this or previous performances?
Well, I don’t want to get in trouble. But in my first comprimario role in Madame Butterfly in 2004, one of my chorus colleagues, who is a MNOP veteran, always came to visit me on stage right before I was supposed to sing my lines as Butterfly’s cousin. He would hand me some random object that he was hiding up the sleeve of his kimono. One night it was a plastic eyeball, the next night an ENTIRE role of gaffers tape. But the last night he handed me a piece of chocolate that, god forbid, was going to melt all over the $1000 silk kimono if I didn’t eat it right away. Luckily I was able to gobble it up and clear my throat just before singing my line. Hope I don’t get banned from the costume shop for breaking the #1 commandment—NO EATING IN COSTUME!
If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
Husband Seth, baby Miles and our 7 lb. rescue mutt, Stevie. But do you think I could get a bonus item in the form of a case of a good red wine for being such a good mom?
What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why?
Nixon in China at Minnesota Opera. You are just flying by the seat of your pants, concentrating on the challenging and unpredictable rhythmic patterns for 3 hours. It was thrilling and exhausting, but we always wondered if the audience realized how hard it was for the performers.
Besides opera, do you have any other favorite genres of music? What are some of your favorite artists from that genre?
I really listen to anything and everything. It helps me stay in touch with the kiddos I visit in the schools, as well as hold on to my youth. But our collection of music spans from Medieval Chant to LCD Soundsystem, or from Willie Nelson and Jonny Cash, to William Shatner’s “Has Been” album. You just never know what you’re gunna get if you shuffle our iTunes library.
Are you really as scandalous as they say you are?
Me? No. I’m just all talk and no walk. Anyway, I work with kids! However my alter-ego, Sergeant Keeton, is a different story. To find out more about her, you have to attend Tempo’s annual Opera Boot Camp.
Do you have Twitter, a Facebook page or website fans can follow?
www.angelakeeton.com
Do you speak any languages besides English? What are they?
Typical singer’s working knowledge of French and Italian but my conversation skills are best auf Deutsch!
Gabriel Preisser (baritone, Lieutenant Gordon, Resident Artist)
Where are you based when not performing?
Gabriel Preisser (baritone, Lieutenant Gordon, Resident Artist)
Orlando
What advice do you offer aspiring artists?
Stay out of debt and follow your passion.
Where do you feel you delivered your strongest performance?
Figaro in Barber of Seville with Owensboro Symphony.
What tends to be the most challenging element of performing?
Making new and fresh every time.
Are you really as scandalous as they say you are?
I love to have a fun time, let’s leave it at that.
Are there any favorite backstage stories/moments you would like to share?
Tenors… Agh…! “Where is the Count for his entrance?” Holds the show… Oh turns out he is taking a shower backstage. He thought he had enough time between scenes and was getting sweaty the poor thing… Tenors!
What are your top three favorite operas?
Falstaff, Giovanni, Il Pagliacci
What is your dream role?
Rigoletto
How long have you been working with opera?
About 8 years
What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why?
Postcard from Morroco, complex music and subject matter.
Mary-Lacey Rogers (Resident Artist Administrator)
How has music changed your life?
Mary-Lacey Rogers (Resident Artist Administrator)
It’s made me more self-aware and forced me to redefine the word “perfect.” It’s a brutal career path and staying grounded is a talent not maintained by all.
What do you think makes Minnesota Opera unique from other companies?
Everyone here cares about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what they can do to make you or it better. Since I’ve been here I’ve been helped through running resident artist auditions to being offered winter clothes for my first winter ever… It’s an all around support system.
Is there any “haute” backstage gossip you would like to share from this or previous performances?
The Cosi cast liked eating potato chips with pickles…. In the same bite. Gross.
What do you typically order when you go out for coffee?
“The largest coffee you have plus a shot.”
Besides opera, do you have any other favorite genres of music? What are some of your favorite artists from that genre?
Country, Jazz, Blues, Pop—anything with a good story and a good beat.
Name your top five favorite movies.
Peter Pan
The Wedding Date
Sleepless In Seattle
Anything with “James Bond” in the title
The Proposal (#5 changes out depending on my mood and the weather)
Are you really as scandalous as they say you are?
I’ve heard rumor that behind my back, fellow employees call me a “kitten with a whip.” I’m not ashamed…
Do you have Twitter, a Facebook page or website fans can follow?
I have a blog! The Rustic Stiletto : http://therusticstiletto.wordpress.com/
Do you speak any languages besides English? What are they?
I speak Southern. Just you try and tell me it’s not a language. Try.
What do you like to do when you aren’t busy creating great opera?
Well the first time I wasn’t involved in an opera, I biked across America, a 4,000 mile, 62 day, Baltimore to San Francisco bike ride. Then I became a PADI certified Open Water, Advanced, and Rescue Diver and moved to Key Largo to restore Coral Reefs. Then I went into the wilderness in Utah to learn canyoneering, white water rafting, and how to safely remove scorpions from your sleeping bag while you’re still inside. Then I got Wilderness Medicine certified and obtained my Wilderness First Responder so that I could save myself (and others) in the wilderness. I assisted in Pediatric Pulmonary Cancer research study, and picked up blogging. (“creating great opera” is a really stable thing for me to keep doing…..)
Tempo is a membership program for both new and seasoned opera-goers ages 21-39, providing intimate and memorable experiences through Minnesota Opera. For a $50 membership fee, Tempo members enjoy steep ticket discounts (only $30!) to Minnesota Opera productions and access to exclusive events and after parties.
The 2012-2013 season includes Nabucco, Anna Bolena, and the world premiere of Doubt (to name a few), tickets are going fast! 3-, 4- and 5-opera packages are also still available. A subscription is the only way to guarantee your seat at sure-to-be blockbusters like Turandot and Doubt. Be sure to visit our website at mnopera.org/tempo or call the ticket office at 612-333-6669 to join Tempo and reserve your tickets today.
Raise a glass to our 10th and 50th anniversaries of Tempo and the Minnesota Opera, we will be celebrating in style on Saturday, September 22nd. First, the Nabucco Opening Night performance at the Ordway, and then head to the James J. Hill Library for a glamorous evening at our Silver & Gold Soirée.
Be sure to follow our blog posts every Tuesday throughout the season. We’ll be highlighting our events, giving behind-the-curtain looks at Minnesota Opera productions and introducing you to the members of Tempo (that’s right, some of you!).
