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    • The Transit Operas

    • Event Date Wednesday, May 20, 2026

    • Time: 6pm-9pm ET
    • New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn

    • Free
    Register
    Sold Out
    A man and women stand in vintage subway car, singing.

    Image: Jonathan King/NYU

    Opera Lab looks to the New York Transit Museum as muse, creating The Transit Operas—original works performed aboard the Museum’s vintage subway cars over two evenings.

    A collaboration between NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Brooklyn-based contemporary opera company American Opera Projects, the Opera Lab brings together emerging composers and librettists to create works inspired by iconic New York City sites. Join us for an immersive evening of music, stories, and interactive art installations from NYU’ Tisch School of the Arts Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP).

    Registration(s) for either night is free. Space is limited, each night requires a separate reservation. Click here to register for Thursday’s program.

    Note: This event takes place on the Museum’s platform level, which does not have climate control.

    List of Operas

    Empire Heights

    Music by Zane Bridwell
    Libretto by Simon Lansberg-Rodriguez
    Direction by Jerrica D. White
    Costume Design by Eryn Perkins
    Set Design by Matt Conte
    Lighting Design by Jordan McAuliffe 
    Performances by Jardena Gertler-Jaffe, Soprano, Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Countertenor, Reykwaan Adorno, Tenor 

    Make Room

    Music by Felipe Segovia Sanhueza
    Libretto by Kennen Butler
    Direction by Jerrica D. White
    Costume Design by Eryn Perkins
    Set Design by Matt Conte
    Lighting Design by Jordan McAuliffe 
    Performances by Jardena Gertler-Jaffe, Soprano, Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Countertenor, Reykwaan Adorno, Tenor 

    Another Train, Another Time

    Music by Landon Braverman
    Libretto by Susan C. Li
    Direction by Jerrica D. White
    Costume Design by Eryn Perkins
    Set Design by Matt Conte
    Lighting Design by Jordan McAuliffe
    Performances by Jardena Gertler-Jaffe, Soprano, Kira Dills-DeSurra, Mezzo-soprano, Reykwaan Adorno, Tenor 

    It Never Stops

    Music by Gaurav Mishra
    Libretto by Caleb Conaway
    Direction by Britt Berke
    Costume Design by Matt Oxley
    Set Design by Yufan Hu and Yun Yen
    Lighting Design by Jordan McAuliffe
    Performances by Kira Dills-DeSurra, Mezzo-soprano, Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Countertenor, Reykwaan Adorno, Tenor 

    Somnambulance on the 4-Track Line

    Music by Dan Gibson
    Libretto by Chiara M. N.
    Direction by Britt Berke
    Costume Design by Matt Oxley
    Set Design by Yufan Hu and Yun Yen
    Lighting Design by Jordan McAuliffe
    Performances by Jardena Gertler-Jaffe, Soprano, Kira Dills-DeSurra, Mezzo-soprano, Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Countertenor 

    Love, George

    Music by Stefanos Kemanetzis
    Libretto by Chenyue Hu
    Direction by Britt Berke
    Costume Design by Matt Oxley
    Set Design by Yufan Hu and Yun Yen
    Lighting Design by Jordan McAuliffe
    Performances by Kira Dills-DeSurra, Mezzo-soprano, Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Countertenor, Reykwaan Adorno, Tenor 

     

    List of Art Installations

    Interactive art installations created by students and faculty from NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ ITP department. 

    A Familial Juncture 

    By Lily Crandall 

    The Institute for Tridimensional Transportation Research, Discourse, and Analysis: Sonification Division 

    By Sophia Collender   

    Flocking 

    By Audrey Oh, Sai Ram Ved Vijapurapu, and Bethany “B” Wu 

    Together: Subway Stories 

    By Shloka Mohanty and Ryan Webber 

    In 26 Slides 

    By Matthew Blanco, Christina Tran, and Ryan Webber 

    Brake the Train 

    By Devan Wardrop-Saxon, Kari Love, and Chris “Widget” DiMauro

    Additional Information & Policies

    Age Requirements 

    Children ages 2 and over must have their own ticket.

    Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.   

    Program Experience

    The Museum is located in a decommissioned subway station.

    • When you arrive, look for a subway station entrance on the Northwest corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street—that’s us!  The stairway will lead you down to the Museum.
    • There is Wi-Fi, but no cell phone service in the Museum. If you plan to visit with others, we recommend coordinating in advance and entering together.
    • The Museum does not have a bag or coat check. Please do not bring large bags to the Museum to allow more space for visitors in exhibits.
    • While the main program space and a few of our exhibits on the mezzanine have air conditioning and heat, a majority of the Museum (including the entire platform level with our historic trains), does not have climate control.
    • Eating is not allowed anywhere in the Museum.
    Accessibility

    Pets, or comfort, therapy, or emotional support animals are not permitted at Museum programs. Only service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted.

    The Museum is located down a set of stairs. It’s wheelchair-accessible entrance is located at the corner of Schermerhorn and Court Streets. For the best service, we recommend emailing before your visit.

    For information on American Sign Language interpreter requests, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility or email [email protected]. If you secure tickets, please request any accommodations via email at least two weeks in advance.

    More Policies

    Please click here to learn more about this program and its policies.

    Contact Us

    Questions? Email [email protected].

    Tour guide speaking to group inside a vintage train car

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