Stephanie Fleischmann

Biography

STEPHANIE FLEISCHMANN is a librettist, lyricist, and playwright whose texts serve as blueprints for intricate three-dimensional sonic and visual worlds. Her “lyrical monologues” (New York Times), “smart” opera libretti (Opera News), plays, and music-theater works have been performed internationally and across the United States.

Upcoming opera libretti: POPPAEA (Michael Hersch; Wien Moderne, 2020); IN A GROVE (Christopher Cerrone; Pittsburgh & LA Opera, 2022); DIDO (Melinda Wagner; for Dawn Upshaw/Brentano Quartet, 2021); A SPACE OF SKY (Jeremy Howard Beck; Houston Grand Opera, 2022); THE PIGEON KEEPER (David Hanlon; Santa Fe Opera, 2021); ARKHIPOV (Peter Knell; Jacaranda, 2021). Operas premiered: THE LONG WALK (Opera Saratoga, Utah Opera, Pittsburgh Opera); AFTER THE STORM (Houston Grand Opera); THE PROPERTY (Chicago Lyric Unlimited). Current collaborations with: Julia Adolphe (National Sawdust), Justine Chen (Opera America Female Composer’s Discovery Grant), Matt Recio (Chicago Opera Theater).

Selected plays/music-theater works: SOUND HOUSE (the Flea/New Georges), NIAGARA (Bobby Previte, music; Daniel Fish, direction; Hudson Opera House), RED FLY/BLUE BOTTLE (Christina Campanella, music; Mallory Catlett, direction); HERE; EMPAC, Noorderzon), THE SECRET LIVES OF COATS (Red Eye, Minneapolis), The Sweetest Life (Saskia Lane, music; New Victory LabWorks); Eloise & Ray (New Georges); Tally Ho (Roundhouse Studio, London. Performed/developed via: Exit Festival (France), MASS MoCA, Birmingham Rep (UK), Synchronicity, Roadworks, Son of Semele, Soho Rep, Mabou Mines/SUITE, Public Theater, and more.

Grants/Fellowships: Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Venturous Theater Fund, Howard Foundation Fellowship in Playwriting, 3 NYSCA Individual Artist Commissions, NEA Opera/Music-Theater, 3 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowships, Tennessee Williams Fellowship, Frederick Loewe and Whitfield Cook Awards; MAPFund, Opera America repertoire development grant, NY State Music Fund, Greenwall Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Fund. Alumna: New Dramatists; New Georges Audrey Residency; American Lyric Theater; former Playwrights Center Core Writer and current affiliated writer. B.F.A.: Wesleyan University; M.F.A.: Brooklyn College. Taught playwriting at Skidmore College for 9 years.