Yale Schwarzman Center Sessions invite you into conversation with thought leaders in creative fields, bringing students from across Yale into dialogue to inspire fresh ideas over a meal. There is a 12-person capacity for this Session, and meal vouchers will be provided.

With our eyes towards discussing unique producing models in live performance, we will explore themes of intersectionality, liberation, and the genesis of new projects. Speakers include:

Ras Dia – Creative Producer of Heartbeat Opera’s Breathing Free, a visual album created in collaboration with six prison choirs

Ethan Heard – Director of Breathing Free, Co-Artistic Director Producer of Heartbeat Opera, an innovative opera company in NYC, and faculty with Yale Institute of Sacred Music and School of Drama

Garrett Allen – Multidisciplinary artist, Co-Founder of LEGACY, a Black queer production collective, and Yale School of Drama MFA candidate in directing ’24