Taking part in the month-long production of Anthony Davis’ X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X at the Metropolitan Opera has offered a tremendous opportunity for Marley F. ’31, a Grade 5 student and aspiring performer. With three distinct roles throughout the opera, Marley portrays Malcolm X’s sister in the 1940s, a student in the 1960s and one of Malcolm's daughters in a different scene within that same time period. Marley is thrilled to be part of an exceptional cast in a groundbreaking opera. “Although I do not have a singing role in this production, I love to sing, dance, and act and I hope to go further with my passion,” she shared.  As the rehearsal and performance schedule ramped up over the past couple of months, Marley has spent her afternoons and evenings at the Met, seamlessly juggling both school and the opera. 

The show, which ran from November 3 to December 2, initially premiered in New York City 37 years ago. The influential and thought provoking opera made its way to the Met this year, and is the second opera produced by a Black composer in the Metropolitan Opera’s history. The production was developed from a collaboration between Anthony Davis who composed the opera, his brother Christopher Davis who developed the story and his cousin Thulani Davis who wrote the libretto. The opera unpacks 12 episodes from Malcolm X’s life, exploring historical and socio-political contexts. 

Throughout her experience, Marley has enjoyed making friends and learning from key leaders and instructors in the industry, as well as having fun! In sharing her greatest takeaways from the production, Marley noted that it’s important to “be happy and positive about what you love to do. Don’t be ashamed or shy, show your personality and everything falls into place.”