No One is Forgotten: An Immersive Opera Drama is a story of intimacy, surrender and the will to survive. A soundscape of foley arts, actors, electronics, instrumentalists, and classical vocalists creates a world where the audience can experience storytelling through psycho-acoustic sound design techniques and their imagination.
No One is Forgotten tells the story of Lali and Beng, who are being held captive. No one knows where they have been taken or if they are alive. All they have is each other. Co-composed by Paola Prestini and Sxip Shirey with a libretto adapted by Winter Miller from her original play, inspired by the plight of captured and detained journalists and aid workers, No One Is Forgotten is an operatic theatrical experience that promotes the message of strength, hope and love. Audiences will hear a story that is surprisingly funny, moving, and relevant. Designed in immersive sound design, the audience is enveloped within the action.
In a demonstration of the power of duality, instead of what might be two performers, the drama is divided between two actors and two vocalists to mine the duality of what it is to be physically held captive while emotionally escaping through music.
Playwright Winter Miller was compelled to write the original play because she observed how much more dangerous the world has become for journalists over the last 20 years. The mission of this piece is to continue hostage advocacy, and recognize that all are engaging in new types of captivity—the fear of ICE, children separated from their parents and locked in cages at border crossings, prisoners, trafficked bodies under lock and key—No One Is Forgotten asks the question: If you were deprived of your freedom, how would you survive?
This is a Princeton Humanities Council Magic Project funded through a David A. Garner ’69 Magic Grant and presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts.
February 8: Panel Discussion
A panel discussion on “What Art Reveals Beyond Factual Reporting” will follow the February 8 performance moderated by Eliza Griswold, Director of Princeton’s Program in Journalism.
Tickets & Details
Performances are free and open to the public; advance tickets required. Tickets will be available through University Ticketing in January 2026.
Reach University Ticketing by email at tixhelp@princeton.edu or by phone at 609-258-9220.
Directions
Get directions to the Wallace Theater, located on the Forum level of the Lewis Arts complex.
Enter the Lewis Arts complex through the main Forum level entry doors located across from the Princeton NJ Transit Station/Wawa. All other entry doors are locked on weekends.
Accessibility
Wallace Theater is an accessible venue with an assistive listening system. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various locations. Students in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
Cast & Creative Team
Libretto & Book: Winter Miller
Co-composers: Paola Prestini and Sxip Shirey
Creative Producer: Eve Gigliotti
Director: Elena Araoz
Music Director & Conductor: Mila Henry
Producer: Cath Brittan
Sound Designer: Lucas Corrubia
Foley Design and Underscoring: Sxip Shirey
Assistant Sound Designer: Jon Mccarthy
Stage Manager: Rose Tablizo
Beng (spoken): Ellen McLaughlin
Beng (sung): Eve Gigliotti
Lali (spoken): Amelia Workman
Lali (sung):Brandie Sutton
Cello: Jeffrey Zeigler
Foley: Nathan Repasz
Originally commissioned by Dallas Opera, Eve Gigliotti and Emitha/Lexicon Classics
