Todd Hensley recently designed the production lighting for the world premiere of The Tale of Lady Thị Kính, produced by the noted Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Composer and librettist P.Q. Phan is an Associate Professor of Music at Indiana University. His opera is based on a Vietnamese folk tale, Our Benevolent Buddha Thi Kính.
This is the first known Western-style opera performed in Vietnamese. The opera was directed by Vince Liotta.
Todd’s lighting design is inspired in part by the Đông Hồ prints and beautifully painted panels. He spoke with Anvi Hoàng about the power and intent of lighting for the stage.
Production photo with Veronica Amandola, Anna Hashizume, Natalie Weinberg, Joanie Snyder and Sarah Ballman.