The Writer

 

Ellen Denham is a talented writer whose creativity spans both the written word and the stage, blending her passion for storytelling with her extensive performing background. A graduate of the prestigious Odyssey Writing Workshop, Denham has honed her craft in the world of speculative fiction, earning recognition for her short fiction, which has been published in notable magazines such as Lightspeed, Daily Science Fiction, NewMyths.com, and in the anthology Gears and Levers 3 by Sky Warrior Books. Her writing for Classical Singer magazine further demonstrates her ability to communicate complex artistic concepts with clarity and insight, bridging the gap between the world of opera and broader audiences.

Her skills as a writer extend into the realm of the stage, where Denham combines her narrative talents with her performing experience. She is the librettist behind The Willow Maiden, a critically acclaimed production by Butler Ballet. The work, which features an original score by composer Frank Felice, is a testament to her ability to craft captivating, emotionally resonant stories that translate beautifully to the stage.

In addition to The Willow Maiden, Denham has written several other works for the stage that blur the line between genres and embrace the power of collaboration. Her libretto for the musically improvised opera Homo Homarus was first premiered at the Indy Convergence and later restaged at the University of Illinois, showcasing her talent for weaving complex, innovative narratives that allow for dynamic performances.

Denham’s creativity also shines through in her work with TAMU-CC Opera, where she wrote two premieres that pushed the boundaries of traditional opera. Pinstripe Harry’s Tea Room Cabaret , a jazz-age musical theatre piece, combines her love for the musical genres of the 1920s with her deep understanding of the operatic tradition. Her adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream , titled Midsummer Night’s Music, fuses Denham’s original storytelling with the music of Henry Purcell, bringing new life to a classic work while honoring its timeless beauty.

Whether writing speculative fiction or creating new theatrical works, Ellen Denham’s storytelling is characterized by its rich imagination, depth of emotion, and the seamless integration of diverse musical and narrative elements. Her work continues to captivate and inspire audiences, both on the page and on the stage.

Publications

  • June 2021: Olivia’s Ocean – One-act opera with an original libretto by Ellen Denham and an original score by Ross C. Bernhardt. Premiered by TAMU-CC Opera, sponsored by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.

  • April 2021: Creating Opera in a Pandemic: Challenges and Silver Linings – Virtual talk presented as part of the Outstanding Faculty Speaker Series by the TAMU-CC Bell Library.

  • November 2020: It’s Not a Bug—It’s a Feature: Learning Despite Latency – Presentation by Dr. Denham and Dr. Ross C. Bernhardt, part of the TEXOMA NATS regional Artist Series.

  • August 2020: Commissioned by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies to write the libretto for a new children's opera on ocean sustainability, collaborating with composer Ross C. Bernhardt.

  • October 2019: Midsummer Night’s Music – Original Shakespeare adaptation using the music of Henry Purcell, performed by Texas A&M University Opera Workshop.

  • October 2018: Pinstripe Harry’s Tea Room Cabaret – Original jazz-age musical performed by Texas A&M University Opera Workshop.

  • December 2018: Star-Crossed Memory – Short story (fantasy) published in NewMyths.com “best of” anthology Passages.

  • December 2017: Star-Crossed Memory – Short story (fantasy) published in NewMyths.com.

  • May 2016: Improvisation as a Generative Tool for New Operatic Material: An Exploration of Methods and Parameters – Doctoral scholarly essay published online via University of Illinois IDEALS.

  • June 2014: The Mouths – Short story (science fiction) published in Lightspeed Magazine's special issue Women Destroy Science Fiction.

  • January 2014: Schubert and Goethe: A Transcendence of Competing Aesthetics – Scholarly essay published in the conference proceedings of the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities.

  • September 2013: Old Singers, New Tricks: Can I Go Back to School at My Age? – Nonfiction article published in Classical Singer Magazine.

  • June 2013: The Golden Larynx – Short story (fantasy) published in the anthology Gears and Levers 3 by Sky Warrior Books.

  • November 2012: Homo Homarus – Flash fiction (fantasy) published in Daily Science Fiction.

  • June 2012: In Which Marper Visits a Witch – Short story (fantasy) published in NewMyths.com.

  • May 2011: When There Are No Wrong Notes: Freeing the Voice Through Improvisation – Nonfiction article published in Classical Singer Magazine.

  • March 2011: Homo Homarus – Short opera (absurd) performed at the Indy Convergence.

  • October 2010: Good Kitty – Short story (literary) published in Hawthorn Road.

  • March 2010: The Golden Larynx – Short story (fantasy) receives an Honorable Mention in the first quarter Writers of the Future contest.

  • March 2010: The Singing Dog – Play (absurd) performed at the Indy Convergence.