Opera at Your School - Tucson
Hansel & Gretel vs. the Witch
Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Program
Music by Engelbert Humperdinck
Written and adapted by Joshua Borths
This new adaptation of Humperdinck’s classic opera turns the famous story of the witch and those crafty kids on its head. Narrated by Hansel—all grown up—he explains what actually went on in that fantastical gingerbread house. This fun, fast-paced show is sure to delight audiences of all ages, while using familiar characters to shed light on relevant themes. Did Hansel and Gretel learn to find their own way out of the woods? Did they grow from their experience? Did the Witch become a force for good instead of evil? You will have to wait and see…
THE DETAILS
We can't wait to visit your school! Arizona Opera's OperaTunity program travels to your school performing all-school assembly style adapated mini-opera's for your students.
Number of Shows: You may reserve up to two performances on the same or different days (exceptions can be made)
Show Length: 45-minutes including a 10 min Q&A session
Language: English
Grades: K-6
Rating: G
Cost: Free for Title 1 Schools, $400 for one performance or $600 for two for Non-Title 1 Schools
Location Requirements:Gym, Cafeteria, Stage, Performing Arts Center, or other venue at your school.
Location Size: 20ft wide, 20ft deep, 9ft tall
Provided Materials: Teacher Resource Guide and Lesson Plans
Load in and Load Out time needed: 30min
2025/26 Arlyn M. Brewster Education Teaching Artists
Clarissa Smith, soprano
Clarissa Christina Smith, a proud Tucson native, is an accomplished soprano, educator, and emerging scholar pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology at the University of Arizona under Dr. Kristin Dauphinais. For the past several years, she has served as a teaching artist with Arizona OperaTunity, where she brings opera into classrooms and communities across the state, inspiring young audiences with engaging performances and interactive education. Smith’s stage credits include La Contessa in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Oregon State University, University of Arizona, Berlin Opera Academy cover), Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (Berlin Opera Academy), Rosalinde in Strauss’s Die Fledermaus (University of Arizona), and Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica (University of Arizona and Varna International Music Academy). This season, she will appear as Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel vs. the Witch (Arizona OperaTunity, 2025 adaptation). She has also performed in World Premieres, including Michael Vince’s Hinterkaifeck at the University of Arizona.
In addition to her operatic achievements, Smith is a principal soprano and section leader with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus and a vocal instructor at Operachi School of Music, where she integrates her operatic expertise with her mariachi roots to guide the next generation of singers. She is the recipient of numerous honors, including first-place awards in the President’s Concerto Competition (2024), the Marguerite Ough Competition (2022), the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition (2022 & 2025), and the Opera Guild of Southern Arizona’s Quest for the Best Vocal Competition (2025).
Diana Peralta, mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano from Mexico City, Diana Peralta graduated from the National Conservatory of Music with Degree in Opera and Concert Singing. Peralta obtained her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance in the University of Arizona and currently studying her Doctoral Degree.
In July 2019, Peralta sang the role Cherubino from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart with the Jerusalem Opera Studio in Israel. Peralta made her debut in Carmen in a production with the San Luis Opera Festival in July 2018 with the conduction of Dr. Linus Lerner and sang it again in a new production for “Opera de Mexico” Company. Peralta’s roles also include Donna Elvira, Cherubino, Zita, Zia Principessa, Ma Moss, Mercedes, Mme de la Haltiére, Hansel, Charlotte, Lady Rhondda, 2nd and 3rd lady of The Magic Flute among others. Peralta has been the mezzo-soprano soloist at The Messiah, Symphony No. 9, Requiem of Mozart and Petite Messe Solennelle in New York City. Peralta was awarded 2nd place in the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition and 1st place in “Opera Guild Quest for the Best”, both in the University of Arizona in their 2019 Edition.
Peralta was named winner of the "Gertrude Brownlee Bitner Memorial Award” in Guanajuato and "Opera of Panama" Award in “Linus Lerner Competition” San Luis Potosi in 2018. In December 2019, Peralta won the 1st Place of the Vienna Summer Festival Vocal Competition and she got the role of Carmen for Vienna, Austria for July 2020, but because of the pandemic it was postponed. In the summer of 2022, Peralta sang the leading role of Carmen in Bodrum, Turkey with the VAO Vocal Academy of Opera with a full orchestra production and later, she offered in Jerusalem concerts of French and Mexican music. Future projects include and adaptation of Cinderella and the role of Cherubino.
Micheal Dewayne Jackson, tenor
Micheal Dewayne Jackson is a tenor from Las Vegas, Nevada. Jackson embarked on his musical journey at the age of 15, and went on to obtain his Bachelor's degree in Northern Nevada at the University of Nevada-Reno, and his Master’s at The University of Arizona. Jackson's recent roles include Tamino in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, and Don José in La tragédie de Carmen, among others. In addition to his love of opera, Jackson enjoys by singing Jazz, R&B, and contemporary music showcasing his wide-ranging talent and musical sensibilities. Currently, Jackson is pursuing his doctoral degree in Voice at The University of Arizona, and is excited to share his love of music with the Tucson community.
Jared Peterson, bass
Jared Peterson, bass, graduated from the University of Arizona with a master’s degree in Vocal Performance, having previously earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Washington State University. Leading operatic roles include Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Mr. Ford in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas, and Sarastro in The Magic Flute. In December 2024, Peterson sang the title role of Duke Bluebeard, alongside Korby Myrick, in Passion Project: Opera!’s production of Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Most recently, he made his Arizona Opera debut, singing the role of Soldier #2 in the Arizona premiere of Héctor Armienta’s Zorro.
This November, Peterson will sing the extensive and demanding basso profundo solo in The Helios Ensemble’s fall concert of Rautavaara’s Vigilia: Vespers, sung in the original Finnish. He will also appear as a guest artist with the University of Arizona’s Opera Theater, singing the role of the Baron in Viardot’s Cendrillon. Peterson currently studies voice with Korby Myrick and maintains an active vocal studio in Tucson.
Sophia Su, pianist
Sophia Su is a collaborative pianist currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Linder. She holds a master’s degree in Collaborative Piano from the University of Texas at Austin.
Su has served as a rehearsal pianist and coach for the University of Texas Butler Opera Center, with operatic credits including The Tender Land, The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, Dido and Aeneas, La clemenza di Tito, and Eugene Onegin. She has also performed at the Miami Music Festival, Chicago Summer Opera, and the International Lyric Academy in Italy.
In demand as a collaborator for both vocalists and instrumentalists, Su recently worked with the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and served on the coaching staff for UA Opera Theatre’s productions of Thumbprint and Così fan tutte. As a soloist, she won first prize in the University of Arizona’s 2023/24 President’s Concerto Competition and third prize in the 2023 Trester Competition. She has performed in master classes for distinguished artists including Dr. Diego Caetano, Dr. Catherine Kautsky, and Steven Vanhauwaert.
In addition to her performance accomplishments, Su has contributed to opera productions in various roles, including harpsichordist, chorus master, and coaching staff, demonstrating her versatility and leadership in the field.
Joshua Borths, writer (operaclassroom.com)
Joshua Borths is a stage director, writer, educator, and administrator with over a decade of experience in the opera industry.
Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Borths currently works with Des Moines Metro Opera and Virginia opera after having served as the Director of Opera & Musical Theater and Professor of Music History at Capital University in Columbus, OH and as Director of Education at Arizona Opera. His children's opera adaptations have been seen by hundreds of thousands of students across the country, and he is a frequent guest lecturer.
At Capital University, Borths produced and managed all of the opera and musical theatre programming while also serving as the Professor of Music History. Additionally, he created a joint Resident Artist Program with Opera Columbus creating innovative programming for both institutions. With Arizona Opera, Borths more than doubled the reach and scope of the department through innovative programming and cultural engagement.
As an educator, Borths has taught at Shenandoah University, been a Visiting Professor at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), directed Maryland Opera Studio, and been guest panelist at the Opera America Conference. He collaborated with TED Ed on their first opera resources and was featured in Opera News for his innovative approach to opera education.