No One is Forgotten: An Immersive Opera Drama
Sat, 2/7 · 7:00 pm—8:30 pm · Wallace Theater, Lewis Arts Complex
Lewis Center for the Arts Program in Theater; Humanities Council Magic Project
Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 7 pm
Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 2:30 pm + Panel Discussion with Eliza Griswold and Aleksandar Hemon
The Program in Theater & Music Theater presents a workshop of a new work in development. No One is Forgotten: An Immersive Opera Drama is a work-in-progress that experiments with psycho-acoustic and immersive sound design, along with actors, opera singers, cello, and theatrical foley to create a sound world which places audiences within the confines of a journalist and aid worker held hostage.
No One is Forgotten is a story of intimacy, surrender and the will to survive. It 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 story and libretto adapted by Winter Miller, based on her play, the story is 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.
Content Advisory
The performance deals with adult subject matter and may not be appropriate for all ages. It is most suitable for audiences over the age of 13.
February 8: Panel Discussion
A panel discussion on “What Art Can Do That Journalism Cannot” will follow the February 8 performance with Eliza Griswold, Director of Princeton’s Program in Journalism and Aleksandar Hemon, Professor of Creative Writing.
Tickets & Details
Performances are free and open to the public; advance tickets required. Tickets are available through University Ticketing.
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.
