Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower

Octavia E. Butler’s

Parable of the Sower

Created by
Toshi Reagon & Bernice Johnson Reagon

Music & Lyrics by
Toshi Reagon & Bernice Johnson Reagon

Co-Directed by Signe V. Harriday & Eric Ting

BUY TICKETS

Wed, June 28, 2023 | 8pm
Thu, June 29, 2023 | 8pm
Fri, June 30, 2023 | 8pm
Sat, July 1, 2023 | 4pm

$38-$98

Parable of the Sower artwork
LOCATION

The Music Center at Strathmore

Pre-Show Event

Learn More & Register
Free with show ticket. Registration required. 

Accessibility

American Sign Language interpretation available on July 1. Community access tickets available June 28 and 29. 

Parable of the Sower returns for an encore performance—a triumphant, mesmerizing display of power and beauty, illuminating deep insights on gender, race, and the future of human civilization. With music and lyrics by Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon, this compelling work gives life to Octavia E. Butler’s acclaimed, science fiction novel of the same name.  

Fully staged, the opera brings together over 30 original anthems, drawn from 200 years of Black music, to recreate Butler’s sci-fi, Afrofuturist masterpiece. 

American Sign Language Interpretation: The July 1 performance will feature an ASL interpretation. To reserve seats with the best view, please select the seats marked orange in the orchestra, or call the Ticket Office at 301.581.5100 for assistance. Discounted seats available for patrons using ASL services; email access@strathmore.org for the code.

CONCERT PROGRAM

Working with Toshi is like going to church. You are at a gathering, and when you leave that gathering, you have a renewed spirit for activism and purpose in life.

Allison Miller

Alexispaulinegumbs Credit Sufia Ikbal Doucet

PRE-CONCERT EVENT

When Goddesses Change: Listening for an Ancestral Octavia

This pre-show lecture activates an Earthseed oracle to honor Butler's legacy as a form of life that is still changing us as we change it. Free with your concert ticket, but space is not guaranteed for non-registrants.

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PARABLE VILLAGE

The Parable Village will gather activists, community organizers, local retailers, performing musicians, and artists to create a community-driven marketplace built around key themes in the novels and performance. Enhance your Parable of the Sower concert experience by engaging with the Parable Village community, and enjoying live music pre- or post-show.

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GO DEEPER: PARABLE RESOURCE LIST

Follow your curiosity through our curated list of resources to gain more in-depth understanding of both the literary and stage versions of the Parable stories, and the artists behind them.

EXPLORE NOW

Community Access Tickets

We are committed to ensuring that these performances are accessible to our whole community. To that end, we are offering discount codes and complimentary community tickets to those who need them.  

If you are able to pay full price for your tickets, we thank you for doing so. Your purchase makes it possible for us to offer community access tickets to those would not be able to participate without them.  

To request discounted or complimentary community tickets, please fill out this form.

REQUEST COMMUNITY ACCESS TICKETS

Plan Your Visit

Strathmore is Global Biorisk Advisory Council® STAR™ accredited. Learn more.