Former Varsity artist Lauren Senden stars in 'Requiem for Frankie Silver'

Lauren Senden sang her way to YourClassical MPR’s Varsity Showcase in 2019. Since then, she has participated in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York, sung in the Lotte Lenya Awards and starred as Maria in The Sound of Music at the Blossom Music Festival.

The next performance for the North Mankato native is here in Minnesota. She will be performing in the title role of Requiem for Frankie Silver at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in Benson Great Hall at Bethel University in St. Paul.

The new musical drama “asks us to examine our role in either showing forgiveness or suppressing the voices of people we do not initially understand,” Senden says.

The show was put together by the Orpheus Music Project, an organization that works “to foster human compassion, further justice and promote racial/social tolerance through the inspirational power of music and storytelling.”

Requiem for Frankie Silver, adopted from a 1988 novel by Sharyn McCrumb, tells of the unfortunate events that led to the hanging of a young girl in 1833. Performed with a full orchestra, the 90-minute piece uses a book and lyrics by Craig Fields and was composed by Craig Carnahan, with McCrumb narrating.

Senden says the piece has allowed her to grow as a vocalist, musician and actress. She also says the textures of the music are so emotionally invoking that it makes her tear up.

“Frankie was a young mother who loved her daughter more than anything,” she says. “I am inspired by my mother and all the mothers who stand up as heroes for their daughters.”

Senden will be returning from the Conservatory of Music at Baldwin University in Ohio for Saturday’s performance. She will be graduating in the spring with a bachelor’s degree in music theater.

Meanwhile, she says, “I am so happy to be returning to Minnesota to share this new work.”