Timaeus and The Teacher: Foreword
Presented as part of In Minor Keys, curated by Koyo Kouoh at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
November 13 & 14, 2026
Timaeus and The Teacher: Foreword is an aria sung by a Vietnamese teacher, turned refugee, while lost at sea. The performance unfolds within a panoramic tapestry designed by Nguyen and manipulated by a team of dancers. In the spirit of Nguyen’s approach to painting, an entire world emerges from this quilted ring, whose form references the diagram of the cosmos in Plato’s Timaeus. Synthesizing symbols and music associated with the maritime practice of “Flags of Convenience,” Timaeus and The Teacher considers what it means to search for national belonging in a world steadily shaped by the will of nature.
Timaeus and The Teacher: Foreword is a chamber one-act study for a full-length opera in development by Tammy Nguyen, with support from the Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University.
Full Credits
Libretto by Tammy Nguyen
Directed by Tammy Nguyen
Music by Neely Bruce
Produced by the Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University
COMPANY
The Teacher, Brian Vu
Dancer, Herne Jean- Baptiste
Dancer, Lila Doromal
Dancer, Rebecca Greenbaum-Goodhart
Dancer, Karina Ikezoe
Dancer, Anne Later
Dancer, Emily Palicio
Dancer, Brion Vann
CHORUS*
Soprano, María Brea
Alto, Krysty Swann
Tenor, Victor Khodadad*
REED QUINTET*
Oboe, Libby Van Cleve
Clarinet, James Forgey
Bass Clarinet, Julie Asuma Levene
Alto Sax, John Mastroianni
Bassoon, TD Ellis
Percussion, Anthony DeQuattro
*The reed quintet and chorus have been pre-recorded.
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer, Jamal Jackson
Associate Director, Liza Couser
Scenic Design, Tammy Nguyen and Travis Fitch
Costume Design, Tammy Nguyen
Producer, RR Sigel
Producer, Kiara Benn
Executive Producer, Joshua Lubin-Levy
Development Workshop Stage Manager, Luke Slater
Recording Engineer and Mixing, Rob Treloar
Choral Contracting, Victor Khodadad
Instrumentalist Contracting, TD Ellis
CHORAL ENSEMBLE
New Camerata Opera
Artistic Chair and Production Director, Victor Khodadad
DANCE ENSEMBLE
Jamal Jackson Dance Company
Director, Jamal Jackson
Associate Director, Dana Thomas
PRODUCTION PARTNER
Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University
Director and Chief Curator, Joshua Lubin-Levy
FABRICATION
Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University
Scenic Assistant, Sok Song
Scenic Assistant and Website Designer, Sophia Molina
Scenic Assistant, Max Halpern
Scenic Assistant, Zoe Sonkin
Scenic Assistant, Rosa Melanie Tejada
Tammy Nguyen Studio
Lead Artist, Tammy Nguyen
Creative Team
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Tammy Nguyen
DIRECTOR, LIBRETTIST
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Neely Bruce
COMPOSER
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Jamal Jackson
CHOREOGRAPHER
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Liza Couser
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
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Kiara Benn
PRODUCER/ ASST. CURATOR OF PERFORMANCE
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R.R. Sigel
PRODUCER
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Joshua Lubin-Levy
EXEC. PRODUCER / DIRECTOR, CFA
