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A group of high school students prepares for a production of Sophocles’ Antigone, joined by a new student, Alona, who comes with a formidable secret.
Pittsburgh Opera is proud to present this gripping world premiere. Time to Act demonstrates how the arts can uplift and unify victims of trauma, empowering them to act, while giving voice to the young citizens who have been most impacted by an ongoing cycle of devastating school violence.
Time to Act is composed by Laura Kaminsky, whose acclaimed opera As One has become the most-produced modern opera in America. Emmy Award nominee Crystal Manich, the librettist, is a Pittsburgh Opera mainstay whose works for stage, film, and circus have been seen across the United States, Europe, Argentina, and Australia.
Content warning: this opera contains a simulated safety drill, and discussions related to the topics of school shootings, school violence, and PTSD.
Special Effects Notice: Theatrical haze, flashing lights, and other strobe-like effects are used briefly in this production
Time to Act is a Co-Commission by Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Montana and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, with additional funding by Opera Santa Barbara.
By permission of the publisher: Bill Holab Music
The production of Time to Act received commissioning and production development support from New Music USA‘s Organization Fund, OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Composers program supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, OPERA America’s Opera Fund, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Michael Sakir conducts; Crystal Manich directs.
Performances
CAST AND ARTISTIC TEAM
Alona, the new girl: Timothi Williams+
Tyson, an injured football player: Erik Nordstrom*
Bailey, a responsible and sweet spirit: Shannon Crowley*
José, an actor: Logan Wagner*
Robin Grace, the drama teacher: Yazid Gray**
Conductor: Michael Sakir+
Stage Director : Crystal Manich
Dramaturgical assistance by Amy Hutchison
Scenic & Costume Designer: Lindsay Fuori
Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins
Sound Designer: Pan-Pan Gou
Assistant Conductor: Glenn Lewis
Chorus Master: Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist: James Lesniak
Assistant Stage Director: Dana Kinney*
Stage Manager: Tess Naval
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Alumnus
SYNOPSIS
*Contains Spoilers*
Present day. A high school drama club prepares a production of Sophocles’ Antigone.
As the students grapple with the ancient story of love, loyalty and loss, a new student, Alona, joins the group. Alona carries a disturbing secret, and her arrival sparks discomfort and discord.
As the students collaborate, they uncover revelations about the play, each other, and themselves. A safety drill triggers a shocking revelation about gun violence at a nearby school, and the divided group strives to come together. Inspired by their discoveries as Alona’s secret is revealed, the students to decide to perform the ancient play using their own words, as a rite of healing and change in the aftermath of gun violence at another school.
Finding inspiration in Antigone that parallels their own lives, they take action to spur change for the promise of a better future.
DETAILS & RESOURCES
We want you to have the best experience possible at our performances!
Here are some details and resources to help. Also visit our Opera FAQs or our Accessibility page.
- Run time: approx. 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Understand Every Word: Time to Act is sung in English, with supertitles projected above the stage
- Content warning: this opera contains a simulated safety drill, and discussions related to the topics of school shootings, school violence, and PTSD.
- Special Effects Notice: Theatrical haze, flashing lights, and other strobe-like effects are used briefly in this production
- Download the Study Guide
- View our Digital Program Book
CHILD POLICY:
- Children must be ages 6 and up. Suggestions and tips for bringing children to the opera may be found at pittsburghopera.org/FAQ.
- All children must have a ticket. There is a 50% discount for kids and teens ages 6-18.
Previews and Reviews
- Review – Entertainment Central Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Opera’s ‘Time to Act’: Bold, Contemporary, Provocative Opera
- Review – Pittsburgh Quarterly – Pittsburgh Opera’s “Time To Act” Asks What If Sophocles Wrote “The Breakfast Club”?
- Review – Opera Gene – Pittsburgh Opera's Time to Act: An Opera for the Age
- Review – Classical Voice North America – An Opera About Teens Mirrors Gun Violence In Image Of Greek Tragedy
- Broadway World – Photos: First Look at Pittsburgh Opera's World Premiere Of TIME TO ACT
- Review – Parterre Box – Back to School
- Review – The Wall Street Journal (paywall) – ‘Time to Act’ Review: Pittsburgh Opera’s Didactic Trauma Drama
- WTAE-TV – Pittsburgh Opera world premiere of 'Time To Act' explores how teens heal after school violence
- Broadway World – Pittsburgh Opera Will Present World Premiere Of TIME TO ACT
- WESA-FM – Mt. Lebanon grad's new opera 'Time to Act' explores toll of mass shootings
- onStage Pittsburgh – An Interview with Timothi Williams from Pittsburgth Opera’s ‘Time to Act’
- Opera Wire – Pittsburgh Opera to Present ‘Time to Act’
- Pittsburgh Magazine – A Contemporary New Opera on Gun Violence Has Roots in Pittsburgh
- Observer-Reporter – Mt. Lebanon grad collaborates on world premiere opera
- Mt. Lebanon Magazine – Time to Act
- NEXTpittsburgh – 14+ things to do this weekend
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – This weekend in Pittsburgh events
- Pittsburgh Owl Scribe blog – Pittsburgh Opera to Stage World Premiere That Tackles the Issue of School Violence
- Tribune Review – Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Feb. 27-March 1
- Opera Wire – Q&A: Librettist/Director Crystal Manich & Composer Laura Kaminsky on Pittsburgh Opera’s World Premiere, Telling Audiences It’s “Time to Act” With School Gun Violence
- Classical Music in Color – March 2, 2026 podcast
- WQED-FM Voice of the Arts podcast
- WTAE-TV – 'A living, breathing art form': 4 The Record learns about opera with Pittsburgh roots
Video Excerpts
Enjoy these videos below, and view our full set of video excerpts on our YouTube Playlist.
Alona (Timothi Williams) auditions for the role of Antigone in the school play
Drama teacher Robin Grace (Yazid Gray) tells his students how each of them has a role to play, both in and out of the classroom.
Part of the 2025-26 Season.