Interrogating the opera industry's long history of exclusion, The Queen In Me seeks to reclaim space not only for countless women, trans, and non-binary opera artists, but for the characters themselves and their stories. As the show's creator and sole performer, Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them) taps into their own lived experiences within opera to deliver this vital, vibrant production.

Featuring a Creator's Note from Kasahara, this article explores the deeply personal history behind the show's development and creation. Read on to learn more!

Opening Thursday, June 2 at the revitalized Canadian Opera Company Theatre, The Queen in Me promises an exuberant show combining comedy, drama, and opera into a deep exploration of the industry-wide policing of race, gender, and sexuality. As the show's creator and sole performer, Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them) uses the lens of The Magic Flute's iconic Queen of the Night to reclaim space for the many women, trans, and non-binary individuals excluded from the stage.

In this article, hear from the show's co-directors—Andrea Donaldson (Nightwood Theatre) and Aria Umezawa (Amplified Opera)—as they explore the distinct identity and impact of this production. Read on to learn more!

In November 2021, JUNO Award-winning composer Vivian Fung premiered new work at the Edmonton Opera. The two scenes, Grover and Friends and Alarm, are based on her family’s history of fleeing the Khmer Rouge and escaping Cambodia in the 1970s. Although Fung and her parents were living in Alberta at the time, she reflects on how the experiences of her extended family on the other side of the world had a profound effect on her childhood, and continue to affect her family dynamics to this day. 

As part of the Canadian Opera Company’s Showcase Series for Asian Heritage Month, we were able to interview Vivian to learn more about her life, her process, and her plans for the future of the work.