USM’s Osher Opera Theatre Named National Finalist for The American Prize in Directing

The University of Southern Maine’s Osher Opera Theatre has been named a national finalist for The American Prize in Directing, the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize, recognizing Malinda Haslett’s direction of Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi.” The one-act comedy was produced in November 2024 as a collaboration between the Osher School of Music and the Department of Theatre.

The American Prize is a national competition judged across music and theater categories, with entrants submitting recorded work samples for panel review. Malinda Haslett, D.M.A., artistic director of Osher Opera Theatre and associate professor and director of vocal studies, said it is the first time an opera program at USM has received the recognition.

“It is a huge deal because we are the only opera company in the state of Maine that produces opera during the academic year,” Haslett said.

Opera Maine and Opera in the Pines, the state’s two other opera companies, are professional and produce outside the academic year. Haslett said she wants USM to fill a unique role as Maine’s academic home for opera. 

“We sold out every single show and we had to extend the run of our spring opera because it sold out in three days. So we added additional performances to accommodate the desire,” said Lee Hartman, director of advancement and outreach for the performing arts.

Haslett said the next collaboration with the Department of Theatre will be in the coming academic year, with a title still to be selected. Winners of the 2026 American Prize will be announced in January 2027.