Renowned Calgary playwright and filmmaker Mieko Ouchi is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her distinguished career, making her opera directorial debut with Calgary Opera's production of Little Red Riding Hood. The production begins performances on Friday, November 28 at the Mamdani Opera Centre.
Early Theatrical Memories Shape a Career
Ouchi's journey to the opera stage began with powerful childhood memories of live performance. She recalls her first theatre experience at just three years old, attending a community production of Jack and the Beanstalk in Dundas, Ontario. "My mom is shocked that I have any memory of it because I was literally three years old," Ouchi says. "I remember they had giant gold coins, and that made such an impression on me."
After moving to Calgary with her family, her artistic education continued when her opera-loving aunt took her to see Calgary Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel featuring famed contralto Maureen Forrester. "It was so exciting," Ouchi remembers. "I got to use her opera glasses." This early exposure to accessible opera designed for young audiences clearly left a lasting impact.
A Veteran Artist Takes on New Challenges
While this marks Ouchi's first time directing opera, she brings considerable experience to the production. She has been active as a playwright, filmmaker, teacher, theatre director and actress since graduating from the University of Alberta's acting program in the early 1990s. For 31 years, she served as artistic director of Concrete Theatre, which specialized in productions for young audiences.
Her recent directorial work includes Citadel Theatre's production of Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical earlier this year. Ouchi's connection to music-focused storytelling runs deep - her first play, The Red Priest (Eight Ways to Say Goodbye), explored a fictional relationship involving composer Antonio Vivaldi, and she created a 2021 documentary about child violin prodigies called Minor Keys.
Creating Memorable Theatre for New Generations
Ouchi's background in youth theatre perfectly positions her to helm this family-friendly production. When she sat down with the cast earlier this month, she asked them to recall their own first experiences with live theatre, emphasizing the importance of creating memorable moments for young audience members.
The production features Seymour Barab's 1962 adaptation of the classic fairy tale, described by Calgary Opera as a "bite-sized" one-hour performance perfect for introducing children to opera. The show will be performed in English by six members of the Calgary Opera's McPhee Artist Development Program, with two rotating casts handling the three-character opera during its run.
This production represents both a personal milestone for Ouchi and an important opportunity to cultivate the next generation of opera lovers in Calgary, continuing the tradition that first captivated her as a child.
