From Florida Southern to the Opera House
Dec 15, 2021
James Macuso’s ’19 career is on a high note!
James, who graduated from Florida Southern College with a degree in musical theatre, is under contract with the Sarasota Opera, where he covered the role of Dormont for La Scala di Seta in November 2021.
The Sarasota Opera is an award-winning opera house in Sarasota, Fla., and it is rare for an opera singer as young as James to land lead roles at this level.
In La Scala di Seta or “The Silken Ladder,” Dormont embodies a lead tenor role in the spirited one act comedy.
James has also taken on roles in Papageno Die Zauberflote at the Imperial Symphony Orchestra and Gabriel von Eisenstein’s Die Fledermaus at FSC’s Opera.
James says he is living his dream.
“I don’t have any desire to do anything else but sing,” he said. “I don’t think I have a place in this world besides doing that.”
James was very involved in the musical theatre program while at Florida Southern, and he underlines how the program provides a lot of balanced, hands-on experience.
While in performance training, James gained skills in singing, acting and dancing that prepared him for his career with the Sarasota Opera.
Students in the program have the opportunity to perform in productions, network with top agents and casting directors in the field as well as have one-on-one training with faculty members.
The theatre arts at FSC presents four main stage productions each year, including two musicals and a second stage lab production.
It was Florida Southern’s approach to engaged learning that James says led him to where he is today.
“I feel like Florida Southern really game me additional skills to accompany me on my journey,” James said. “The education I received was incredible.”
Go Mocs!