LOLA Local Opera Local Artists

02/11/2026

FREE and full of LOVE!

A (free) midday musical break - tomorrow! Featuring local vocalists Kevin Arratia Diaz, Ayden Crocker, Annisha Mackenzie, and Anneliese Sandoval with Ben Tibbetts, piano. Part of the CPC Thursday Noonday Concerts, this is a beloved yearly event for us – and a great chance to hear classic operatic tunes sung in a gorgeously acoustic space. Super chill, friendly, and open to ALL. See you there!

Songs About Love 2026
Central Presbyterian Church Austin
8th and Brazos
Starts around noon and lasts till about 12:40, but come and go as you're able!

L!nk to more info in the c@mments

01/05/2026

Tune in or stream this afternoon! We are some of the biggest fans of Terry Galloway and Art Spark Texas ❤️ We were honored and privileged to get to work with Terry and Donna Nudd developing the opera Lardo Weeping based on their one-woman play composed and dreamt into operatic form by Peter Stopschinski

Join host Celia Hughes as she speaks with friend, activist, and author Terry Galloway about their work together on Actual Lives Austin, and all things disability theatre. Monday, January 5, from 2-3 pm Central time, at 91.7 FM or streaming at www.koop.org. KOOP Radio Terry is the author of Mean Little Deaf Q***r, and the co-founder of the Micky Faust Club in Tallahassee, Florida. Tune in for a fun conversation, and yes, only Terry would label her portrait Terry Calloway. Ever the prankster!

12/31/2025

What a Year! As we step into 2026, we want to pause and say thank you for being part of another exciting, adventurous year with LOLA. Your enthusiasm, encouragement, and belief in new opera make everything we do possible.

As a thank-you, we’re delighted to share a video from our 2025 production of We Might Be Struck By Lightning. Consider it a little artistic spark to kick off the year and a reminder of what we love most: excellent music, bold artistic collaborations, creative storytelling, and the electricity that happens when artists and audiences meet. - https://youtu.be/ytcwRy9O0ZU

And there is still time to make that end-of-year tax-deductible donation here - https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lola-local-opera-local-artists

Thank you for your support, LOLA Loves You!

We Might Be Struck By Lightning, conceived and directed by Rebecca Herman with choreography by Rebecca Whitehurst. Director of Cinematography - Eric Graham o...

12/10/2025

This show is going to be fire! Each year of Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays brings new and wonderous surprises and incredible artistry, it is a must-see on our list of holiday musical experiences! Get your tix before they are gone! https://bit.ly/4nGUvVs

11/22/2025

Get Tickets! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jing-a-ling-super-sing-tickets-1971467895546?aff=oddtdtcreator

Our annual nightcap for the year is almost here! Join us for a festive and fun-filled evening as and LOLA bring their Jing-a-ling Super Sing to The & on Saturday, December 20th.

A love letter to winter’s best music, hear your seasonal favorites as 20 classically-trained singers fill the space with song and cheer. Doors open at 8:00, and the celebration begins in the Butterfly Bar. A quartet of singers serenades from a nearby piano as you order a crafted beverage from the full bar. Follow them into the theater at 8:30 pm for more music and joy!

Tickets are on a sliding scale $10-$50, you choose! And donations are most welcome.

When:
December 20th @ 8 PM
Where:
The VORTEX and Butterfly Bar: 2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
This lively celebration is open to all ages, and your ticket cost will be evenly shared between these two non-profit organizations. This intimate venue fills up quickly, so we recommend securing your seats early. Any remaining seats will be available for sale at the door.

Gather your friends and family, and enjoy a magical winter evening filled with music and cheer!
This project has been funded in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department. Use of the VORTEX is made possible through the support of VORTEX Repertory Company.
Our

10/14/2025

We are thrilled to share that LOLA’s original production We Might Be Struck By Lightning has received 11 B. Iden Payne Awards Council nominations!

Musical Theatre
• Production – We Might Be Struck By Lightning
• Direction – Rebecca Herman
• Lead Performer – Annisha Mackenzie
• Lead Performer – Joanne Evans

Design
• Wig Design – Wendy Sanders

Performance & Orchestration
• Orchestra in a Musical – Joey Choi, Barbara George, Beth Johnson
• Dance Performance – EG Gionfriddo, Sarah Navarrete, Mari Akita, and Matthew Sommers
• Movement – EG Gionfriddo
• Orchestration – Ben Tibbetts
• Dance Choreography – Rebecca Whitehurst
• Music Direction – Joseph Choi

Congratulations to this incredible creative team and every artist who brought this electrifying work to life. We are so proud and grateful to see this bold, collaborative project recognized among Austin’s vibrant performing arts community.

09/06/2025

LOLA and One Ounce Opera are holding auditions this month. Come sing with us! https://oneounceopera.com/auditions-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMpGTNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXcnk5aWNPYWZUTkk5SmFqAR7aqS9Ez_oU12O4fGDtHraahvrZ6lCQhnH-EgmC8eV1deWtcB8sQPK_U7NDgQ_aem_2bOQbBITyXrPkg6NSdHejQ

LOLA + OOO Auditions 2025-26 LOLA + OOO Audiciones 2025-26 For selected singers on Friday, 9/19 and Saturday 9/20/2025   Austin singers: Join us for the official joint auditions for LOLA-Local Artists Local Opera and One Ounce Opera (OOO)! 👏 Two dates: Friday, 9/19 from 4:30-9:00 pm and Saturday...

08/27/2025

Austin singers: Join us for the official joint auditions for LOLA Local Opera Local Artists and One Ounce Opera (OOO)! 👏 Two dates: Friday, 9/19 from 4:30-9:00 pm and Saturday, 9/20 from 3:00-6:00 pm. Pianist provided free of charge.

When you apply for an audition, you indicate interest in participating in OOO and LOLA’s 2025-2026 seasonal programming, which includes new works and workshops, concerts, and more. Solo and ensemble work available; all roles and positions are paid.

We seek all voice types representing the multicultural, diverse, and unique world in which we live. Those from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

NOTE: Application is live until Tuesday, 9/9 at 5pm CT. Fill one out today and help us spread the word – we can’t wait to hear you! We'll drop a link to the app form and details below.

08/18/2025

Congratulations to the Butler Opera International Competition semi-finalists! Special shout-out to a few singers you may have experienced on the LOLA stage: Kristin Bilodeau Micah Perry Evan K. Brown Tenor Toi Toi Toi!!!

Butler Opera Center Announces 2025 International Competition Semi-Finalists

https://music.utexas.edu/news/butler-opera-center-announces-2025-international-competition-semi-finalists

07/18/2025

Be Struck! Tickets: https://www.lolaaustin.org/current-events
Featured in this video: Joanne Evans, EG Gionfriddo, Joey Choi, Barbara George, and Beth Johnson. Cinematography by Eric Graham of i.c. pictures.

Rebecca Herman - Show Creation and Stage Directions
Rebecca Whitehurst - Choreography
Natalie George Productions - Set / Lighting Design
Wendy Sanders - Wigs / Hair / Makeup Design
Desiree Humphries - Costume Design
Joanne Evans – Mezzo-soprano
Annisha Mackenzie – Soprano
EG Gionfriddo – Death
Sarah Navarrete – Girl
Mari Akita – Mother
Matthew Sommers – Fiancé
Joey Choi - Music Director and Piano
Beth Johnson - Violin
Barbara George - Cello
Benjamin Tibbetts - Music Arrangements