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

Open captioning and American Sign Language interpretation available on July 1.

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. 

Open Captioning & American Sign Language Interpretation: the July 1 performance will feature open captions and an ASL interpreter. To reserve seats with the best view, please select the seats marked with a yellow "C" in the orchestra, or call the Ticket Office at 301.581.5100 for assistance.

Songs of the Living Community Sing

with Toshi Reagon

Learn & sing songs from the show with its co-creator. June 10 from 6-8pm at All Souls Church Unitarian. FREE. All participants must RSVP.

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.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

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.

LEARN MORE

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

Plan Your Visit

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