Opera Praktikos, New York City’s first disability-affirmative opera company, will present “Spoon Theory Song Cycle” on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, and Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Marc A. Scorca Hall at Opera America’s National Opera Center.

The hour-long program combines spoken-word passages from Christine Miserandino’s 2020 essay “The Spoon Theory” with newly composed art songs by living composers and librettists. Featured composers and librettists include Lisa Neher, Jude Duane, Drew Swatosh, Nina Shih, Spencer Edgers, Elizabeth Howell, Jaquay Smith, and Ethan Resnik.

Vocalists Brian Alvarado (baritone) and Katharine Li (soprano) headline the performance, alongside a piano trio led by Music Director and clarinetist Kyle Glasgow, with Mercedes Yvonne Lysacker (cello) and Sunny Zhai (piano).

“Spoon Theory” uses spoons as a metaphor for how individuals with disabilities measure and ration their daily energy. The performance expands this concept into a meditation on choice, empathy, and community connection.

Both performances take place at the fully accessible, ADA-compliant National Opera Center at 330 Seventh Avenue, 7th floor, in Midtown Manhattan.

The Nov. 20 showcase starts at at 3:00 p.m. and the latter one on the 21st commences at 6:30 p.m.

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