“No One is Forgotten”: Princeton Brings an Immersive Opera Drama into the Heart of New Jersey Arts

Princeton’s Lewis Center for the Arts is poised to challenge audience expectations and redefine the boundaries of theatrical storytelling with its upcoming presentation of No One is Forgotten: An Immersive Opera Drama. Scheduled for February 7 at 7:00 pm and February 8 at 2:30 pm at the Wallace Theater, this groundbreaking work-in-progress promises a sensory and emotional journey that merges music, theatre, and immersive sound design in ways rarely seen on New Jersey stages.

The production is part of the Program in Theater & Music Theater’s commitment to nurturing innovative performance projects, offering the public a chance to witness a work in development that is both experimental and profoundly human. No One is Forgotten follows Lali and Beng, a journalist and an aid worker, who find themselves held in captivity. With no one knowing their whereabouts or safety, their survival depends on their bond, resilience, and the small moments of hope they create together. The drama blends spoken performance with operatic vocalization, cello accompaniment, and intricate theatrical foley, constructing a soundscape that envelops audiences directly into the characters’ confined world.

The creators of the piece—playwright Winter Miller, co-composers Paola Prestini and Sxip Shirey—designed the work to explore dualities: captivity and freedom, fear and hope, despair and laughter. Rather than relying on a conventional cast, the production uses two actors and two vocalists to explore the tension between physical imprisonment and emotional escape through music. Audiences are drawn into a narrative that is at once moving, surprisingly humorous, and deeply resonant with contemporary struggles, from the perils facing journalists abroad to broader questions about captivity in society, including forced detainment, trafficking, and family separations at borders.

Miller’s original inspiration stems from observing the growing risks journalists face globally, highlighting the urgency of storytelling as a tool for advocacy and awareness. By blending operatic performance with immersive sound techniques, the production not only dramatizes survival but invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of constraint and resilience. Each note, each sound effect, and every foley element is carefully calibrated to place viewers inside the psychological and emotional reality of those enduring extreme circumstances.

This project benefits from the Princeton Humanities Council’s Magic Project funding, supported by the David A. Gardner ’69 Magic Grant, and is produced in collaboration with the Lewis Center for the Arts. The presentation also emphasizes accessibility and audience engagement. The Wallace Theater is fully wheelchair accessible and equipped with assistive listening technology, ensuring that the immersive experience reaches as many participants as possible.

In addition to the performances, February 8 will feature a panel discussion titled “What Art Can Do That Journalism Cannot,” featuring insights from Eliza Griswold, Director of Princeton’s Program in Journalism, and Aleksandar Hemon, Professor of Creative Writing. This dialogue promises to deepen audience understanding of how art and storytelling intersect with the realities of global conflict, freedom, and advocacy.

Tickets for No One is Forgotten are free but require advance reservation through University Ticketing, ensuring a welcoming, organized environment for the performances. Directions to the Wallace Theater are straightforward: enter the Lewis Arts complex through the main Forum-level doors opposite the Princeton NJ Transit Station and Wawa, where all other doors remain locked on weekends.

The creative team behind this ambitious work represents some of the finest talent in contemporary theater and music. Alongside Miller, Prestini, and Shirey, the production features direction by Elena Araoz, music direction by Mila Henry, and sound design led by Lucas Corrubia. Stage management, lighting, and production coordination are handled by a team committed to bringing this immersive vision to life, ensuring that every technical and artistic element contributes to the audience’s full engagement.

Performers include Ellen McLaughlin and Amelia Workman in spoken roles, with Eve Gigliotti and Brandie Inez Sutton providing operatic vocals. The musical environment is further enriched by the contributions of cellists Jeffrey Zeigler and Mark Serkin, along with expert foley artistry by Nathan Repasz. This combination of talent and technical ingenuity underscores the production’s innovative approach to storytelling, where sound, movement, and voice converge to create an unforgettable theatrical experience.

For those looking to expand their cultural exploration beyond traditional stage offerings, Princeton’s presentation is a rare opportunity to witness a work that merges opera, theater, and immersive sound into a singular, transformative experience. Audiences eager to engage with experimental theater in New Jersey can explore additional offerings through Princeton’s vibrant [theatre] programs, connecting with a broader landscape of performance that continues to push creative boundaries and challenge perceptions.

By presenting No One is Forgotten, the Lewis Center for the Arts demonstrates that New Jersey is not only a hub for established artistic performance but also a laboratory for pioneering works that speak to contemporary issues, human resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling to transform understanding.

Creative Team

Playwright & Librettist: Winter Miller
Co-composer & Orchestrations: Paola Prestini
Co-composer & Underscoring: Sxip Shirey
Director: Elena Araoz
Music Director & Conductor: Mila Henry
Foley Design & Sound Effects: Sxip Shirey
Sound Design: Lucas Corrubia
Lighting Design: Jenna Mullin ’27
Creative Producer & Co-Executive Producer: Eve Gigliotti
Executive Producer: Cath Brittan
Stage Manager: Rose Tablizo
Asst. Sound Design: E.M. Jimenez
Asst. Sound Design: Jon McCarthy

Performing Artists

Beng (spoken): Ellen McLaughlin
Beng (sung): Eve Gigliotti
Lali (spoken): Amelia Workman
Lali (sung):Brandie Inez Sutton
Cello: Jeffrey Zeigler
Foley Arts: Nathan Repasz
Cello (cover): Mark Serkin
Rehearsal Pianist: Nathaniel LaNasa

Original Opera Drama Co-commissioned by The Dallas Opera, Emitha/Lexicon Classics & Eve Gigliotti