THE COTERIE

A Downtown Music Theater Company

THE COMPANY

The Coterie creates new works of music theater that feature sophisticated scores and narratives that speak to a contemporary audience.  Eager to cultivate an operatic vernacular for the 21st century, The Coterie does not shy away from amplification, provocative subject matter, or popular musical influence: the projects are classical music hybrids that often graft rock, pop, jazz, musical theater, and folk strands into their D.N.A.

Meet the team

Royce Vavrek

Co-Artistic Director

Royce Vavrek is an Alberta-born, Brooklyn-based librettist and lyricist known as “an exemplary creator of operatic prose” (The New York Times) and “a favorite collaborator of the postclassical set” (Time Out New York).  His writing has been called “sharp, crisp, witty” (See Magazine), “meticulous” (Operavore, WQXR Radio), “full-throated” (CulturePOP), “taut” (The New Yorker), “dramatically wild” and “exhilarating” (The New York Times). His collaboration with composer David T. Little has led Heidi Waleson of the Wall Street Journal to proclaim them “one of the most exciting composer-librettist teams working in opera today.”  Their first full-length opera, “Dog Days,” received its world premiere in September of 2012 at Peak Performances @ Montclair, in a production co-produced by Beth Morrison Projects and directed by legendary American maverick Robert Woodruff.  The work was celebrated as the Classical Music Event of the year by Time Out New York, one of the year’s best by the New Jersey Star Ledger and a standout opera of recent decades by The New York Times.  The production will travel to Fort Worth Opera and LA Opera in 2015 with the original creative team.  Royce and David’s other collaborations include “Am I Born” for the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Brooklyn Youth Chorus, “Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera” for Bard Conservatory; “archaeology,” commissioned and recorded for The Opera America Songbook; and “Last Nightfall,” premiered as part of the 21c Liederabend, Op. 2 at The Kitchen.  They are currently working on JFK, a grand opera commissioned by Fort Worth Opera and American Lyric Theater about John F. Kennedy’s final night. Read More

Lauren Worsham

Co-Artistic Director

Lauren Worsham is a New York-based actress and singer whose favorite roles include Lisa in the world premiere of Dog Days at Montclair Peak Performances, Amy in Where’s Charley at New York City Center, Cunegonde in New York City Opera’s Candide, Lili in Goodspeed Opera House’s Carnival (dir. Darko Tresnjak), Cinderella in Kansas City Rep’s Into the Woods (dir. Moisés Kaufman), Clara in Weston Playhouse’s The Light in the Piazza and Olive in the first National tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other theater credits include Jerry Springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall, Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel) at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera,Master Class (Sophie) at Paper Mill Playhouse and The Fantasticks (Luisa) at Emelin Theatre. She also performs in concert frequently, including programs at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Oregon Bach Festival, Joe’s Pub, Galapagos Art Space and New York City Opera’s VOX Program. She is the co-founder along with librettist Royce Vavrek and co-Artistic Director of the downtown opera company The Coterie and she’s the lead singer for the rock band Sky-Pony. Upcoming: Lauren will sing the role of Flora in NYCO’s 2013 production of Turn of the Screw.

Eric Hurtig

Managing Director

Eric Hurtig joined The Coterie in 2010, bringing his background in film and TV development and production (WNET/WLIW, Andrew Lauren Productions, North Country Cinema) to the company. Eric  has served as consultant and associate producer on film and television projects at WNET, New York Public Media; is Slifka Fellow and Associate Director of the Bernard L. Schwartz Center for Media, Public Policy and Education at Fordham University; and is a Research Associate at IESE Business School’s New York Center. Eric is a graduate of Concordia University’s (Montreal) Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema (B.F.A.)

PHOTOS AND VIDEO

CONTACT US

GET IN TOUCH!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Send us an e-mail

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Subject

    Your Message