An upcoming one-act festival at Union Avenue Opera (UAO) will address troubling contemporary issues. It will also mark the directorial debut—of an opera—for theater veteran Joan Lipkin. The two operas will be performed October 10, 11 and 12 in the Union Avenue Christian Church at 733 N Union Blvd.
The pairing of one-act operas consists of “dwb” (driving while black) and “As One,” based on the life of trans documentarian Kimberly Reed. The operas will be performed in the facility’s gallery, since the main sanctuary was damaged during the May 16 tornado that buzzed through the Central West End. Lipkin, a member of Central Reform Congregation, will be in the director’s chair for “As One.”
“The gallery will be a different experience for the audience,” Lipkin said. “But in a way, I’m an ideal person to be thrown this particular curveball because I am used to putting on performances in every space you could imagine. We have produced work in parking lots, boardrooms, major regional stages. We have performed in a bus shelter and on the steps of the Missouri History Museum.”
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Lipkin is producing artistic director of That Uppity Theatre Co. and Dance the Vote STL. In April, she was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. Lipkin said she is proud of the UAO for producing a festival tackling social justice issues. She pointed out that so far in 2025, there are 701 anti-trans bills moving through U.S. legislative bodies.
“I think it’s brave and bold for UAO to be producing this festival and this piece as well as ‘dwb’ in light of the current climate,” Lipkin said. “‘As One’ is also the most produced contemporary opera but has never been done here.”
The one-act festival is an opportunity to bring two significant works to St. Louis, according to Emily Stolarski, UAO administrative director.
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“Sometimes contemporary works don’t get the stage time they deserve,” Stolarski said. “This is a unique way for us to bring these two works that are very timely to the stage and in the kind of climate we’re living in.”
The opera “dwb” is about a Black mother’s fear as her son approaches driving age. It hit home for Marilyn Sheperd, board president of the opera company.
“I have seen people pulled over, and I’m always torn,” said Sheperd, who is Black. “I think, ‘Do I need to stop and be a witness for them?’ I am really so proud that Union Avenue Opera is doing something that is brand new to us and tackling these kinds of issues.”
Although the subject matter of “dwb” and “As One” are serious, Lipkin said it would be unfair to label them as being about despair.
“It is ultimately about discovery, resilience and to see that joy literally translated by these gorgeous voices fills me with joy,” she said. “Our singers are very talented performers and fantastic to work with. I have spent several months reading the libretto and I have also identified moments of humor I feel need to be highlighted.”
Sheperd said she is eager to experience the two operas, and how the directors (Ivan Griffin for “dwb” and Lipkin for “As One”) will stage the performances.
“You always walk away from a production that Joan has done feeling like you’ve learned something,” Sheperd said. “I think that the people who attend are in for quite an experience.”
The UAO one-act festival will be performed October 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and October 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 (general admission).
