Umbra is an opera-theater work on the inner mythic landscape of grief, co-created by myself—composer, performer, and producer Elliot Ménard—and director Héctor Alvarez.

After a successful workshop production at Highways Performance Space in March 2025, we are currently developing the next iteration of Umbra, pitching the project to potential presenters, and working toward a premiere in 2027/2028.

Why We’re Fundraising Now

Arts funding in the U.S. is becoming increasingly more precarious. Presenters rely on financial viability and evidence of community support when selecting projects. Your contribution not only supports the next iteration of Umbra—it also demonstrates an engaged and invested audience.

What Your Gift Supports

Your tax-deductible gift directly supports the next iteration of Umbra:

Artist fees for 17+ collaborators
Materials for set, costumes, and props
Audio equipment rental
Rehearsal and performance space rental
Documentation costs
Score and libretto development

About Umbra

Umbra is an adaptation of both an ancient myth and a true story: in 2017, my childhood best friend passed away by suicide. In the disorientation of her loss, Orpheus’ journey through grief became a compass for mine—I knew its feral logic, the katabasis of dreams, the way time peels off from linearity.

Umbra begins with the convergence of my story and Orpheus’—after he emerges from the Underworld without Eurydice. The libretto entwines parallel narratives of loss and transformation across realms, through excerpts of Ovid’s Metamorphoses and original contemporary English text.

Umbra exists within the inner landscape of grief, where reality, myth, memory, dream, and time collide.

The opera’s title itself bridges worlds: between its singular (“shade”) and plural (“underworld”), “umbra” contains ghosts, traces, simulacra, shadows, and shelters. Both nurturing and haunting, “umbra” entwines life and death.

For me, the act of performing Umbra opens up the possibility of reunion, through the confrontation of grief and ritual of memory.

Your support makes the continued creation and development of Umbra possible.

Thank you for helping us move this work forward.

Elliot

Tax-exempt status

Umbra is a fiscally-sponsored project of Overtone Industries, a non-profit organization. Contributions to Umbra must be made payable to Overtone Industries only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Your donation to Umbra will be received by Overtone Industries and disbursed to Umbra.

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Support the Premiere of Umbra

By Overtone Industries

Support the Premiere of Umbra

an opera-theater work on the inner mythic landscape of grief

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