Shorter University presents “The Ballad of Baby Doe”  at the historic Desoto Theatre

January 18, 2011 - Shorter University’s Opera Theatre Department will present “The Ballad of Baby Doe,” Jan. 21 and 22 at the historic Desoto Theatre in downtown Rome.

Set in Leadville, Colo., “The Ballad of Baby Doe” retells the true story of Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor and her marriage to a rich silver entrepreneur. The performance unfolds over several decades and reveals tableaus from Baby Doe’s life: her greatest joys and deepest sorrows.

Comprised of a beautiful musical score and recognizable arias, this American opera, directed and produced by Shorter University’s Assistant Professor of Music and Opera Director Deborah Popham, is a landmark work in standard repertory. Performed with a full orchestra, this performance will combine the talents of Shorter University faculty and students.

“Baby Doe” features a cast of more than 30 students and faculty members. They include Emily Alderman, Garrett Baker, Mystie Bennett, Isabella Carlton, Dallas Caulkins, Rianne Chandler, Anthony Chu, Amanda Church, Chelsea Cross, Lila Dalton, Peter DeWitt, Mary Diesch, Susie Diesch, Patrick Dyer, Kayla Harriott, Wesley Henson, Sarah Blake Hicks, Matthew Hoch, Sarah Justus, Anne Marie Kelly, Michelle Kelly, Jahi Mims, Patrick McCormick, Evan Meisser, Tareva Moore, Ryan O’Leary, Erin Ottman, Jonathan Parham, Matthew Queen, Joe Sokohl, Trey Smagur, Troy Stephens, Emily Tweedy and Harris Wheeler.

Shorter University Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Matthew Hoch will serve in the role of Horace Tabor and senior vocal performance major Emily Tweedy will perform as Baby Doe during the Shorter Opera Theatre’s production of “The Ballad of Baby Doe.”


The performance will run Jan. 21 and 22 in the Desoto Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the Shorter University Box Office by calling 706-233-7288.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges, and the Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its lists of best value and best Southeastern colleges. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Leadership. General education and calculus courses are offered in an online format, and Shorter recently launched online programs that lead toward the Associate of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and the Master of Accountancy degrees. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.