Local Faith Communities Provide Space for Piedmont Opera

Communities of Faith Step in to Support Piedmont Opera During Stevens Center Closure

Winston-Salem, NC — With the Stevens Center of UNCSA temporarily unavailable, local communities of faith are stepping forward to ensure that Piedmont Opera can continue rehearsing and performing at the highest level.

Augsburg Lutheran Church is generously providing free rehearsal space for the chorus beginning this week. Parkway Presbyterian Church has offered to host full cast rehearsals ahead of the company’s transition to the Millennium Center in November. Looking further ahead, First Baptist on Fifth will collaborate with Piedmont Opera on June 16, 2026, to present African Queens, a new work by acclaimed soprano and creator Karen Slack.

This growing network of partnerships began last season when Piedmont Opera staged its first immersive opera, Joan of Arc: The Trial at Rouen, at Centenary United Methodist Church. Building on that success, the company has expanded its collaborations with local faith communities to help fill the gap this season.

“These partnerships are a powerful reminder that opera does not exist in isolation—it thrives through collaboration and community support,” said Piedmont Opera's Interim Artistic Director Joseph Mechavich. “We are deeply grateful to these congregations for opening their doors and ensuring that music and storytelling continue to flourish in Winston-Salem.”

The commitment of these faith communities reflects the shared vision that the arts are essential to the cultural and spiritual life of the region. Their generosity allows Piedmont Opera to continue producing high-quality performances while building lasting connections that enrich the entire community.