Cimarron Opera 50th Anniversary Memory Book
2025 will mark 50 years of Cimarron Opera! As a part of the 50th celebration, we want to hear your memories or general experience with Cimarron Opera and the Careys legacy. Do you have a favorite performance you saw at Cimarron Opera? Did you perform with Cimarron? Did you study/work with Thomas Carey or Carol Brice Carey at OU or somewhere else? We would love to hear about it! These memories will be collected in a digital memory book to honor Cimarron's 50th anniversary. Memories will be shared on Cimarron's website and at 50th anniversary events.
The Memory Book
Thomas Carey and Carol Brice were my mentors. They trained me up, kicked me out - like any good mentor should do - and told me it was time to swim in a bigger pond. I'm so grateful for their guidance, and many opera singers I know today are in awe that I knew them both. I wish they had both been around when I started working the Metropolitan Opera - they could have seen the fruits of their support.
As CCOC's first music director, I went to almost every performance in those early days. One performance took us all the way to the panhandle (I think we did Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi). It all went well, and we stopped to grab a bite before we headed home. On the long drive back in the famous CCOC van, we were all really sleepy, so somebody started singing show tunes. Once that ice was broken, we all plunged in...imagine those voices filling that van! I think we made it through every song of every classic musical ever - it was such fun. We were all buddies already, but the experience bonded us together even more.
Congratulations on this terrific milestone and have a great celebration!!
Here's a photo from those early days with all of us "usual suspects" of the time.
-Mary Jo Heath
The whole production of The Gondoliers in 2024 was magical. Every single person in the cast and crew was such a genuinely kind and loving person. Spirits were high at every rehearsal, and we often laughed so hard we cried. We had so much room to play, that the characters got bigger and sillier each rehearsal and each show. It was just one of my favorite shows I’ve ever done.
I cherish my time as a camp counselor in 2024. Camp was small, but mighty. And the price the counselors felt watching our 7 kids perform was unreal. It felt like we were watching a sporting event, and seeing the kids throw themselves into the performance was amazing.
-Sarah Spurlin
(pictured are most of the current OU students and OU alumni in the 2024 production of Gondoliers)
I remember when I was in the kids production of iolanthe. I played the chancellor and it was the most fun I've ever had playing a role or being onstage. The directors faith in me to play the parts I was suited to helped me figure out some things about myself I don't know I would have ever figured out without them and their support. And that same year I was asked to help fill in the chancellor's role in the adult show for the big song, I felt so honored and I still tell stories, and remember lessons from opera camp to this very day. What you all did and are doing is amazing and I'll never forget it!
Also, if it weren't for the generosity of the directors and the Ellis/Rogers family, I would have never found this amazing community, or been able to foster my love for theatre. Thank you all for that.
-Parker Rainbow
I only knew Tom in the last years of his life but had the privilege of hearing him sing in one of his last recitals. I became Executive Director for a few weeks but decided I'd rather perform so stepped down and enjoyed performing with Cimarron's Summer G&S program starting with The Mikado in 2001 in the old Holmberg Hall before it was gutted and completely modernized! It was a fantastic production conducted by Irv Wagner and Kevin Smith and directed by Tom's old friend Jack Gillas. I played Ko-Ko alongside Rodney Westbrook as Nanki-Poo - and Harvey Fort as the Mikado! We discovered that Karen, Candie and Gabe all shared the same birthday and went to The Mont to celebrate! I went on the play various G&S roles including the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe a couple of times and in various touring productions which helped me explore different parts of Oklahoma and learn the music of Seymour Barab. I always enjoyed playing the Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood - such fun! It was always such a great experience working with Kevin and learning new roles like Aaron Blunder in The Toy Shop! So thank you to everyone involved with Cimarron over the years - Karen and I share many happy memories - thanks to the Carey's for their vision and so glad to know that the company continues to this day! Special thanks to Kevin Smith for his musicianship, teaching, friendship and loyalty to Cimarron over many years and changes! You have all enriched so many peoples lives including ours - thank you!
-Robin Noad
I met Kevin Smith while in rehearsals for a musical with a different theatre. We had an immediate, easy connection that I am forever grateful for. I count my friendship with Kevin as one of the best gifts the performing world has given me. While in those rehearsals, the soprano for that year's children's scholastic opera tour had to back out and he asked if I was interested in stepping into the role. I had no idea that agreeing to that project would end up being a years-long relationship with the children's tour as well as studio performances, summer library tours, and Christmas ensemble performances. I have countless fun memories of the children's tour years and the people I got to work with along the way; amazing humans on & off the stage. My very favorite experience, though, would have to be the absolute riot of getting to play Voluptua (twice) in La Pizza con Funghi. I am so proud to have gotten to be a small part in Cimarron Opera's impressive history.
-Kristin Fitzgerald
Here are a few memories I have of Tom.
I gave my senior recital at Meacham Auditorium in April of '72. After vocalizing at his studio in Old Science Hall, we walked over to the Union. I had studied with Tom for three years and that night I felt I could have sung forever. His technique helped me to sing effortlessly and I could see him smiling in the audience. He and I had come a long way together on my way to becoming the singer I'd always wanted to be.
Tom could be temperamental. I arrived at my lesson one day, upset over a boyfriend. He stood up from the piano, looked at me sternly and said that I was to leave my problems outside the studio door! I left in tears, slamming the door behind me. Later I found out, that he had people looking all over campus for me because he was so worried about me. He could be a hard taskmaster but he also had a kind, tender heart.
Tom sang at my wedding. As the wedding party was lining up to process down the aisle I saw him heading out the door of the church! I called to him and asked where he was going. He said he had to go and get Carol (Brice). I informed him that the ceremony was about to begin and that he should be up front at that moment singing his first song. He shook his head, hurriedly took his place at the front of the sanctuary and started the wedding on a beautiful note. He was a magnificent performer but could be a bit forgetful at times.
-Linda Boatright
Happy Anniversary Cimmaron Opera! My days at Cimmaron Opera started when I was at the University of Oklahoma studying music. I was a young college student very new to singing, quintessentially awkward and generally feeling out of place. I was lucky to sing an audition for Kevin Smith one day, and that five minutes led to several unforgettable ventures that made me feel right at home. I went on to sing in productions of Iolanthe, Ruddigore, and The Gondoliers, and performed regularly in the scholastic library tour for several summers. That was the best gig, touring all over Oklahoma for several weeks. What thrill for someone so new to singing! I'm still singing and acting today and owe a debt to so many wonderful Cimmaron companions who encouraged me. Dear friends Kevin Smith, Kristin Fitzgerald, Marcy Monique Gonzales, Lydia Gray (who I still sing with!), Gregory Gore, Kassie Caroll, Robin Noad, and so many others. I always felt so looked after thanks to Shari Jackson and Jennifer Skinner. We had so much fun and laughed so much. 'Twas no small blessing, I can tell you that. I was not fortunate to have met Mr. & Mrs. Carey, but I'm so thankful for the legacy they helped to build. I will cherish my time performing with Cimarron Opera for the rest of my life. Cheers and toi toi tois to everyone involved with Cimarron's 50th Anniversary! I wish I could be there with you. For now, I raise my voice in song along with all of you. Happy Anniversary!
-Sam Briggs
Cimarron Opera gave me so many fun opportunities as a young artist working through college. I had the chance to be involved in several productions in the early 2010s through performing, directing, and choreographing. However, the introduction that I am most grateful for, is the fact that I met my husband through Cimarron Opera. Mervin was the long time Artistic Director of the company and through my involvement in summer productions, we became fast friends. After 12 years of friendship, we finally tied the knot in June 2024! Thank you Cimarron!
-Catherine Tay
I first stumbled across Cimarron Opera when I auditioned for their Children’s Summer Camp in 2001. Though I wasn’t accepted that year, that experience started my path into performing onstage, which I’ve now turned into my career. A few years later, I was lucky enough to be involved as an “adult” (at the fresh age of 18) in the 2005 production of The Merry Widow. Then, almost 20 years later, I was invited back to play the role of Despard in the 2023 production of Ruddigore. Cimarron Opera has been a wonderful artistic home for over 20 years for me, and I’m so grateful for the memories I’ve made with the incredible artists and musicians over the years, particularly Kevin Smith!
-Ronn Burton
I started as a Cimarron Opera Camper when I was 15 playing Dame Hannah in Ruddigore. Before coming to Cimarron Opera Camp I enjoyed performing, but did not see a career path for myself in the arts (I was planning on being a zookeeper). Cimarron Opera was the first company that saw my potential as a professional performer and an opera singer. The first year I found a connection to my voice I had not found before during a coaching with Kevin Smith. My third year I decided I wanted a career in opera while playing the Pirate King in the Pirates of Penzance (pictured above). I went on to pursue and Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Voice. Because of Cimarron I have a career in opera/classical music not only as a performer, but as an administrator. It has been a joy to explore every part of opera from props to stage management to admin to singing at Cimarron Opera.
-Natasha Naik
I have been performing with Cimarron since I was 8 years old (now I'm 22). I had so much fun in every kind of role and activity. Some of my favorite roles were pants roles (playing men since there were never enough boys). Below is me as Dick-deadeye! This company also gave me a great opportunity to get back on the stage 2 years ago, this time as a wheelchair user. I will always love Cimarron!
-Flora Ellis
Words can not describe the impact that Cimarron Opera played on my life. My summers with Cimarron Opera were always the highlight of my year. I was fortunate enough to get to be apart of the opera camp and the adult cast for several years. It was incredible getting the opportunity to play roles that I never would have had the opportunity to play outside of Cimarron. Cimarron Opera helped me grow as a person and helped me gain confidence in myself. I will forever cherish the friendships I made along the way and I frequently think of our memories together and smile. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for my time at Cimarron Opera.
-Jordan Palmer
Cimarron Opera is such a core part of who I am as a human being. From the moment I walked into opera camp at 14 years old, I felt accepted in a way I don't think I ever had before. I continued to make lifelong friends for my 5 years of camp where we did dances coordinated by Mervin, learned so much about stage direction, and were welcome to be ourselves. After my time in the camp, I had the opportunity to serve as a counselor and see so many young performers grow their confidence in 3 short weeks- magical does not begin to describe the feeling.
As I continued my performing work with Cimarron, I found the joy that opera performance can bring to any person. Cimarron has such a strong mission of sharing art with anyone who is open to receiving it, and I look back at my time performing with this company proudly.
-Grace Filer
I am so blessed to have been a part of an organization that cares so much about the arts! I was cast as Rose Maybud in Ruddigore for their Summer 2023 production and as an awesome alternate version of the Queen of the Night in Gallantry and Scenes. I can certainly say that each rehearsal I was at filled me with absolute joy and endless laughter, and my mind is full of memories that I will always hold dear to me. I made some wonderful friends and lifelong connections that I will never forget. Cimarron Opera has helped me grow as a performer, but has inspired me to continually advocate for opera anywhere and everywhere! Happy anniversary, Cimarron!
-Raeslyn Miller
In the Magazine Princess how Natasha (Props Designer) couldn’t find any corn in 3 different cities during June!
-Kayla Marshall (2019 Camp Counselor)