Published on October 3, 2024 by Anne Madison Adcock  
butterfly actor and supporting actor

Samford University School of the Arts is proud to announce that its world premiere of the original opera, Dragon's Breath, has been nationally recognized as the 2024 American Prize in Composition in the opera/theater/film/dance professional division. The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in Performing Arts, the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts, formally announced Evan Mack, the commissioned composer for the opera, as the winning composer of the year.

This is the second opera Mack has been commissioned to compose for Samford, following The Ghosts of Gatsby which premiered in 2018. In 2020, Kristin Kenning, director of Samford Opera, approached Mack and librettist Joshua McGuire—his collaborator on The Ghosts of Gatsby —to create Dragon's Breath, an opera designed for both children and adults.

McGuire praised the collaboration, stating, "Samford's been the perfect place to do it. The students have been so open with the collaboration. Kristin is frankly, such a genius. We were able to take some risks on this piece that we knew she could deliver on. It's been a great experience for us."

actor being pushed on a swing

Mack highlighted the unique aspect of this project, saying, "[This was] the first time working so closely with a director, who we've known for years now, where the director can weigh in on the process, so it could actually change the DNA before it began."

The composer aimed to create a piece that would resonate with various age groups, from children to grandparents, fostering different conversations and experiences for the entire audience.

Kenning expressed her enthusiasm for new works, saying, "I like being creative. Doing something for the first time means I get to put more of myself into the storytelling, and the students get to put more of themselves into the storytelling as well. I wish I could direct new operas every single time."

Mack described seeing his work come to life on stage as "thrilling," emphasizing that while he composed the story and vision Kenning had created, it ultimately belongs to the students and the audience. He noted how cast members would tell him that the piece is not only theirs but also the audience's, highlighting the importance of how the audience gains different experiences from the show based on how each individual receives and relates to the storyline.

butterfly actor in the mist

The American Prize recognizes top performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the country at professional, college/university, community and high school levels. Thousands of artists from across the nation compete for these prestigious awards each year, making Samford's achievement even more remarkable.

This national recognition celebrates the exceptional talent and creativity within Samford University's School of the Arts and highlights the institution's dedication to fostering innovative, collaborative artistic projects. The School of the Arts is grateful for the chance to work with renowned composers like Evan Mack. His expertise and vision have enriched our students' educational experience and significantly advanced contemporary opera on the national stage.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.