2023-2024 TDO Connections: Responding to Conflict
This season, TDO Connections explores the human responses to the various conflicts at the center of the stories presented on our stages. Family, mental, emotional, and physical health are crucial to the relationships, resistance, and acceptance fueling the drama of these stories. The gripping nature of these works rests in how characters respond to the conflicts presented to them. The Dallas Opera staff will work with conflict resolution specialists, mindfulness and healing practitioners, and the creative teams to explore conflict response and resolution, gaining additional insight into the ways the story plots resonate with our lives today. We invite our audiences and communities to continue joining us in this learning journey through online resources and in-person events.
FREE IN-PERSON AND LIVESTREAM EVENT
Opening Discussion Panel: The Brain and the Heart
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 2:00 pm CT
Livestream on YouTube
For centuries, opera has been known for its ability to present moments of drama and passion powerful enough to move and connect audiences. These passionate moments are glimpses of human experiences, often stemming from conflict. The opening TDO Connections panel explores the conditions of these stories and the various ways in which characters respond to conflict on a human level. Dallas locals, Dr. Cheryl Edinbyrd (Tree of Life Birth and Wellness), Hilda McClure, LPC (Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment) join Assistant Director Adam Da Ros (Tosca) to explore the impact of conflict in each opera and offer insights into ways we can respond to conflict in our professional, social, and artistic lives. This live panel discussion is co-moderated by Quodesia D. Johnson and Kristian Roberts.
Quodesia Johnson, moderator – TDO Company Culture Consultant
Kristian Roberts, moderator – TDO Director of Education
Cheryl Edinbyrd, Ph.D., panelist – licensed professional counselor supervisor, counselor, and therapist
Hilda McClure, LPC, panelist – COO Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment
Adam Da Ros, panelist – Assistant Director Tosca
Approximate run time: 1 hour and 5 minutes with no intermission
FREE VIRTUAL EVENT
Opera Administrator Healing and Dialogue Circle
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT
Opera requires the collaboration of people, interests, and dedicated work. Responding to conflict is certainly a part of what allows the show to go on. The Dallas Opera presents a Community Healing and Dialogue Circle for administrators in the opera field to explore healthy methods of responding to conflict and a meaningful approach to administrative roles. Join Dallas-based healing practitioners Stefanie Tovar (Healing Arts with Stefanie Tovar) and Quodesia D. Johnson (Quo Johnson Co Project, LLC) in this offering of mindfulness, healing, and restoration to reset and courageously administer the bold work of opera as a community.
This online event is for all administrators in the opera field of all levels and experiences. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably as there will be some movement. Bring water and prepare to engage with your camera on for most of the offering. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants prior to the event.
Stefanie Tovar, facilitator – healing artist, healing justice coach, non-profit CEO
Quodesia D. Johnson, facilitator
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT
Community Healing and Dialogue Circle
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm CT
Karayanis Rehearsal and Production Center | 4301 S. Fitzhugh Ave. Dallas, TX 75210
Opera tells stories of the human condition, often focusing on conflict, drama, and passion. Healing through conflict and participating in meaningful engagement are necessary, human experiences. The Dallas Opera presents its second Community Healing and Dialogue Circle to explore healthy methods of responding to conflict. Join Dallas-based healing practitioners Stefanie Tovar (Healing Arts with Stefanie Tovar) and Quodesia D. Johnson (Quo Johnson Co Project, LLC) in this offering of mindfulness, healing, and restoration to reset and courageously engage in familial, social, and professional relationships.
This event is for all ages and all identities and includes sitting, movement, and optional writing/journaling. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring water, a yoga mat or cushion for a soft surface, pen/pencil, and paper.
Stefanie Tovar, facilitator – healing artist, healing justice coach, non-profit CEO
Quodesia D. Johnson, facilitator – equity specialist and healing practitioner
Resources
The conflicts presented in this season’s operas include struggles with self, circumstance, nature, another person, and institutions. The following resources are provided for further learning and connection through a suggested reading list, links to organizations, and additional insight on what TDO is doing to center this theme throughout the season. Resources will be added throughout the season.
Special gratitude to Robyn Short and Hilda McClure for contributing to this list!
Websites:
- Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment
- Workplace Peace Institute
- Taking the Stage with Kristian and Quo Episodes
Suggested Reading:
- Communicating with Dignity, Robyn Short
- Boundaries, Cloud and Townsend
- Getting Past Your Past, Francine Shapiro
- The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee
- My Grandmother’s Hands, Resmaa Menakem
- The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron
- The Art of Relevance, Nina Simon
- The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk
- Walking the Tiger, Peter A. Levine