Shannon Gaffney

GAF 2023

Student Leadership Team

ARTIST STATEMENT:

When the Fat Lady Sings tells the tale of a 19th century prima donna who, by some error of time travel, finds herself in the world of 21st-century musical theatre. Celebrated as a diva in Europe, she is shocked to find that the art of American musical theatre (and the current industry of opera) has not readily embraced women with her body type. Using her voice, she navigates this new terrain, searching for home within her passion for music and within her own body. The show’s not over until she has found it.

This set is an excerpt from the full 90 minute piece, which premiered at the Gene Frankel Theatre this spring.

COLLABORATORS: Hannah Comia and Mario Pavon

BIO:

Shannon Gaffney

Shannon Gaffney (she/her) is a performer, writer, dramaturg, and director, pursuing her MA in Musical Dramaturgy and Performance at NYU Gallatin. Her master’s thesis, When the Fat Lady Sings, an exploration of fatphobia within opera and musical theatre communities, debuted at the Gene Frankel Theater. She recently directed Gallatin Theatre Troupe’s production of Zombie Prom. She works as an artistic fellow at the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company, where she serves as assistant director for productions of Sugar and Woman of the Year. She thanks her family, friends, and her adviser, Dr. Sharon Friedman, for their incredible support.

First-generation Filipino American pianist Hannah C. Comia (she/her; pianist) performs regularly as a collaborator and soloist. She has appeared at the Kosciuszko Foundation, Classic Lyric Arts Berkshires summer Mozart festival, the Arabia-Kaikuu Festivaali, the Helsinki Musiikkitalo, Paavalinkirkko, the Civic Morning Musicals concert series, and the Finnish Wagner Society. She has also worked as an music director and assistant conductor with Pioneer Production Company, William Paterson University, and Butler High School on shows like Songs for a New World, Sweeney Todd, and All Shook Up. Hannah serves on voice/piano faculty at William Paterson University, on music ministry staff at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, and has served on accompanying faculty at the JCC Thurnauer School of Music and voice faculty at the JCC MetroWest Triple Threat Summer Theatre Camp. She has trained at William Paterson University, Syracuse University, Metropolia UAS, and the Sibelius Academy.