The University of Arizona School of Music is proud to announce that Professor Cynthia Stokes, The Amelia T. Rieman Endowed Chair, Opera Theater, School of Music, has been named a national finalist for The American Prize in Directing—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize (Opera Division), 2025. This prestigious recognition honors her stage direction of Thumbprint, a powerful and socially resonant opera by composer Kamala Sankaram and librettist Susan Yankowitz, performed during UA Opera Theater’s Spring 2024 season.
Premiering in 2014, Thumbprint blends Hindustani and Western classical music, reflecting the cultural backdrop of Mukhtar Mai’s story. The libretto, based on interviews with Mai, explores themes of justice, resilience, and the transformative power of education. The opera has been staged by various companies, including the University of Arizona Opera Theater, and continues to inspire audiences with its compelling narrative of courage and change.
Presented by The American Prize—one of the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit competitions in the performing arts—the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize honors excellence in opera stage direction at both the professional and university levels. Named for the celebrated actor, director, and educator, the award highlights directors whose work demonstrates outstanding artistic vision and execution.
Professor Stokes is one of several finalists in the college/university opera division, placing the UA Opera Theater program in the national spotlight. Her interpretation of Thumbprint was praised for its emotional depth, thoughtful storytelling, and collaborative spirit. According to available records, this marks the first time in nearly 17 years that a UA opera production has received national recognition for stage direction—and is believed to be the first time UA has been recognized by The American Prize in this category since the competition’s founding in 2010.
This honor is matched by another groundbreaking achievement: University of Arizona DMA conducting student Fatima del Corona was named a finalist by The American Prize for her musical direction of Thumbprint—a historic first for a student conductor at the university. Her recognition underscores the extraordinary level of student talent and mentorship fostered within the School of Music.
These honors exemplify the School of Music’s mission to deliver bold programming and impactful student-faculty collaboration through contemporary repertoire and interdisciplinary research.
We congratulate Professor Stokes on this well-earned national recognition and thank her for her visionary leadership in advancing operatic excellence at the University of Arizona. We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Fatima del Corona and the entire Thumbprint team for this shared success.
The American Prize was established in 2010 to recognize and reward the best performers, directors, ensembles, and composers in the United States. Winners will be selected from the pool of finalists later this year. To learn more about the competition, visit theamericanprize.org.
Congratulations to Professor Stokes and Fatima del Corona on these historic achievements!
