Brie Bevans will take to the Hancher stage as Morgan, one of the four principal characters (also referred to as “muses”) in Fierce. Her character takes her name from the Celtic goddess known for her ability to shape-shift―a powerful young woman who should not be trifled with.  

Bevans is a fifth-year undergraduate in the UI School of Music studying vocal performance and music education. She has been involved in many shows including H.M.S. Pinafore (the UI’s spring opera production in 2022), Beauty and the Beast, and Freaky Friday. Brie also sings in the UI’s Black Pop Music Ensemble and performs lead vocals for her band, Joint Custody, which performs locally at venues in Iowa City.  

Bevans grew up in Tiffin, Iowa where she was always involved in music. “I knew I was going to get my performance degree before I graduated high school,” she explains. “Singing was something I knew I wanted to pursue, but I also loved working with kids. I would help with choir lessons, and helped with show choir camps, so music education seemed like a really good fit for me.”  

Growing up right outside of Iowa City, Bevans has always had close ties to the University of Iowa and the Hawkeye community. When it came time for college, it was a natural move, and being at a university close to her family was important to her.  

During Bevans’s first year at the university, she enjoyed working as an usher at Hancher Auditorium—until the COVID-19 pandemic forced Hancher to halt in-person performances.  

“When I was showing people to their seats, I’d look at the stage and think maybe someday I’ll be good enough to perform here,” Bevans recalls. “So, for me, when I got cast as Morgan it felt surreal. It makes me a little emotional because Hancher is like a beacon in Iowa City for the performing arts and they bring so many wonderful artists here … and now I get to be part of that legacy.” 

Fierce was composed for Cincinnati Opera by Dr. William Menefield, a UI assistant professor of Jazz Studies, in collaboration with librettist Sheila Williams. The opera—making its Iowa premiere—reflects the collaborative spirit of Performing Arts At Iowa and will be co-produced by the School of Music, the Performing Arts Production Unit, and Hancher Auditorium. For the Hancher debut, Menefield will be taking on the role of director.    

“I’ve worked with Dr. Menefield for a couple years now,” Bevans describes her relationship with the Fierce composer and director. “I took his Intro to Jazz Improv course and that’s how I learned about the Black Pop Music Ensemble.”  

The Black Pop Music Ensemble, also directed by Dr. Menefield, combines styles such as R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, Blues, Soul, Motown & Neo Soul. “It seemed like an obvious fit for me,” Bevans explains. “I’ve always wanted the opportunity to sing pop and expand those skills. I’ve been in the ensemble for almost two years now.” So, when Bevans learned they were putting on Fierce, she jumped at the opportunity to work with Dr. Menefield on another project.  

“The opera is a fusion of every genre of singing I’ve studied,” Bevans describes the intricacies of performing Menefield’s intricate composition. “For a long time, I felt like I had two modes of voice—my opera voice and my jazzy chest voice. I’ve really had to learn how to merge them for this performance. There are moments where we are singing these pop-like melodies but we’re performing them in operatic registers.”   

The opera’s story follows four young women, created by librettist Shelia Williams from real stories and conversations she had with a group of Cincinnati-area high school girls. The plot develops around the struggles of these high school students including the pressures of social media, difficulty making friends, and their home lives.  

Bevans plays Morgan, one of the four co-leads, who is grappling with the expectations of her parents and her fear of disappointing them.  

“Morgan’s parents come from a less privileged background, who didn’t have the opportunity to attend college,” Bevans explains. “She feels a lot of pressure to fulfill their dreams of college and a prestigious career—becoming something bigger—but those aren’t her dreams.” 

Bevans will be performing alongside three student co-stars—Kate O’Connell, Finley McVay, and Madeline Yankell—to bring this relatable and empowering story to Hancher.  

“It’s an intimate show,” Bevans says. “It’s really about the companionship that women feel between each other. I’ve grown so close to my co-leads; we spend time together outside rehearsals to grow our relationship and it’s strengthened our bond on stage. I hope the audience can really feel that in the way we interact on the stage.” 

As Bevans prepares to embark on the next step in her own journey, she wants to teach and be the fun, quirky music teacher. “Fierce has been really valuable to me as a music educator as well as a performer,” she explains. “I’m learning a lot about teaching acting and how to teach stage presence, which is so valuable for a young performer.”  

“I cannot wait for people to come and see our show,” Bevans says. The Iowa premiere of Fierce is coming to Hancher April 26-27. “It’s hilarious, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s real. It really doesn’t matter who you are or how old you are. I just think people will really relate to the message of this show.”