CMU School of Drama


Friday, April 26, 2024

Play honors Pittsburgh's Black opera pioneer Mary Cardwell Dawson

90.5 WESA: On Apple Street in Homewood stands a Victorian mansion that was the first home of the National Negro Opera Company. Now under renovation after years of decay, it’s among the last — and certainly the largest — tangible piece of the legacy of the company’s pathbreaking founder, Mary Cardwell Dawson.

1 comment:

Abby Brunner said...

I just finished interning/shadowing with the Pittsburgh Opera for this production of Mary Cardwell Dawson. It’s been such an interesting and informative experience about what opera is and the history behind it. Before working on this show, I did not know who Mary Cardwell Dawson was, but after sitting through many different rehearsals and tech rehearsals, I now understand the major role she played in helping signers of color be welcomed to the stage. I enjoyed working with the Opera on this play, and it was exciting to meet all of these different singers who have a wide range of talents. It was enlightening to understand how opera can also tell a story that is very similar to how a play or a musical may tell stories on stage. I hope that the run for this show goes well and that it is well received by audiences because of how much hard work has been put into creating this revival.