New Wave Opera Workshops Deep Water, a new opera by Caroline Louise Miller

A wide shot of pianist Stephen Lewis, singers Allison Knotts, Emilie Faiella, and Lindsey Rae Johnson, in a black box theatre during the workshop with electronic equipment around them. Composer Caroline Louise Miller runs electronics from a table. 

April 17, 2026 | Portland, OR: New Wave Opera workshopped Caroline Louise Miller's new opera Deep Water at the Lincoln Hall Studio Theatre, putting the score together with four singers, pianist, and electronics for the first time. 

The company briefly rehearsed and read through each scene of the opera, taking time for discussion with Miller about the characters, storyline, and mood of each section. Miller provided deeper context for the cast, which will guide character preparation in advance of staging rehearsals next month with stage director Christine Freije. Music director and pianist Dr. Stephen Lewis provided musical context and insights on ensemble and interpretation of the score, particularly in moments with advanced notation, extended techniques, and improvisation. 

Soprano Lindsey Rae Johnson plays Val and mezzo-soprano Lisa Neher plays Bluejay, two queer teenagers who have been cursed to document humanity in a post-apocalyptic future where climate change has drastically altered life on earth. Soprano Emilie Faiella and mezzo-soprano Allison Kim-Yok Knotts play Time Priests, powerful beings to whom Val and Bluejay report, as well as two travelers whom the teenagers observe and document. Faiella takes on a powerful role as the spirit of an extinct bird, singing a clarion call of sorrow and loss in crystalline tones. 

As a company that exclusively performs works by living composers, NWO is dedicated to giving new works like Deep Water time to develop and grow. The workshop was an important vehicle to do just this: put the music up on its feet, ask questions, provide feedback, and learn additional context to support ongoing preparation of the music. In addition, this workshop gave Miller the chance to hear their work and make adjustments as desired in advance of the formal rehearsal process. 

The workshop included feedback from writer and editor Audra YiHong Sim and stage director Christine Freije. The full rehearsal process for Deep Water begins next month, with performances June 18-21 at Portland State University Lincoln Hall's Boiler Room Theatre. 

This workshop of Deep Water was made possible by generous support from Portland State University, Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), Portland Arts and Culture's Arts Access Fund, and donors to New Wave Opera. 

To learn more about Deep Water, visit our event page. 

The Deep Water Team is all smiles after our workshop. From L-R: composer Caroline Louise Miller, music director & pianist Stephen Lewis, mezzo Allison Kim-Yok Knotts, soprano Emilie Faiella, mezzo Lisa Neher, and soprano Lindsey Rae Johnson. 

Composer Caroline Louise Miller provides feedback during the workshop.

Pianist and music director Stephen Lewis, singers Allison Knotts and Emilie Faiella in rehearsal.