Projection Design

Freedom Ride by Dan Shore

Direction Tazewell Thompson Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya

  • Scenic Donald Eastman

  • Lighting Robert Wierzel

  • Costume Harry Nadal

Projections Team

  • Assistant Yeaji Kim

  • Projectionist AJ Diehl

Chicago Opera Theatre 2020

“By conceiving a stripped-down production with minimal props, stage director Tazewell Thompson in effect focused attention on the score and the singing. The historic film footage that served as backdrop gave the production a real-world urgency.” Howard Reich Chicago Tribune

And most of all, it’s Tazewell’s collaboration with Projection Designer Rasean Davonte Johnson to end the opera with a collage of the real-world Freedom Riders’ prison mugshots that reaches deep into our souls.” Amy Munice Picture this Post

“Scenic Director Donald Eastmen and projection designer Rasean Davonte Johnson created a stage that was at once referenced and represented history while creating a striking stage picture. This production is visually exciting.” Angela Allyn Chicago Stage Standard

“with the aid of projections (by Rasean Davonte Johnson), Shore and Thompson allow Sylvie to board that bus with head held high and ride off into the annals of history.” Patrick O’Brien ChicagolandMusicalTheatre

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Photos by Rasean Davonte Johnson