Kafka’s Letter to His Father
Kafka’s Letter to His Father
Composed by Jiři Trtik (Czech Republic)
Libretto by Jan Škrob (Czech Republic)
In collaboration with Brightwork Ensemble
Produced by the Opera of Timur
1262 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024
U.S. Premiere
Runtime: 70 minutes
No intermission
Performed in Czech with English supertitles
U.S. premiere of Kafka's Letter to His Father, a contemporary opera adapted from Franz Kafka's iconic letter.
Adapted from Franz Kafka’s searing letter to his father, this critically acclaimed opera transforms one of the 20th century’s most powerful literary documents into a gripping theatrical experience exploring authority, vulnerability, and identity. As the inaugural opera of Far Away, Here, CAP UCLA’s new international opera initiative, Kafka’s Letter to His Father directed by Shayna Penn launches a program dedicated to contemporary works that expand the possibilities of opera across cultures, disciplines and forms.
Kafka’s Letter to His Father premiered May 2, 2024, at the National Theater in Prague. The intimate opera explores a childhood marked by fear of an overpowering father and a struggle to conform to rigid ideals of masculinity. Through literary creation, Kafka finds a path toward freedom, escaping paternal authority through the act of writing.
The libretto uses minimalist language to transform Kafka’s monological letter into direct interactions, revealing a nonlinear arc from helplessness to liberation. Musically, the opera layers ambient electronics, synthesizers and acoustic instruments, with Kafka’s tenor voice, performed by Timur, set against a six-member baritone-bass choir representing the Father and a soprano voice representing the Mother, conducted by Fahad Siadat.
About Far Away, Here: Kafka's Letter to His Father is the inaugural production of Far Away, Here, CAP UCLA's new multi-year initiative presenting U.S. premieres of contemporary opera from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, curated by Timur Bekbosunov with Edgar Miramontes. Learn more.
Kafka’s Letter to His Father is a contemporary opera composed by Jiři Trtik, with a libretto by Jan Škrob, directed by Shayna Penn, conducted by Fahad Siadat, and produced by the Opera of Timur in collaboration with Brightwork Ensemble. The U.S. premiere will be presented by CAP UCLA at The Nimoy in Los Angeles from Thu, Nov 12–Sat, Nov 14, 2026.
Cast and creatives
Composed by Jiři Trtik (Czech Republic)
Libretto by Jan Škrob (Czech Republic)
In collaboration with Brightwork Ensemble
Produced by the Opera of Timur
Conducted by Fahad Siadat
Directed by Shayna Penn
Kafka - TIMUR
Mother - Molly Pease
Fathers - TJ Sclafani, Kevin Allen, Lorenzo Zapata, Scott Graff, David Peterson, James Hayden
The original production was directed by Josef Doležal, designed by Maxim Velčovský and commissioned by Narodni Divadlo and the Ministry of Culture, Czech Republic.
UCLA Nimoy Theater is located at 1262 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024. For GPS, use 10866 Wilshire Blvd to reach the parking structure. The entrance is on Glendon Avenue — look for either entrance marked VISITOR. Parking is $4, beginning at 5 pm for evening performances and 12 pm for matinees. Arriving before these times will incur the $30 day parking fee.
The box office is open Monday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm, and opens 60 minutes before showtime on show nights. The box office is cashless and accepts all major credit cards. For day-of questions, call 310-206-8655. For general inquiries, contact info@cap.ucla.edu or call 310-825-4401.
All late seating is based on availability and at the discretion of house manager.
Accessible seating and assistive listening are available. Ask any house staff member for assistance. For additional accommodations, contact info@cap.ucla.edu.
Beer, wine, mixed beverages, water, soda, and coffee are available in the lobby. Valid ID required for alcohol. Credit cards and cash accepted. For nearby restaurant options, visit the UCLA Nimoy Theater page.
A digital house program for this performance is available to view or download before the show. Find it on the CAP UCLA Program Notes page.
If the performance is sold out, join the standby line at the box office on the night of the show. A waitlist may also be available — if tickets are released, you will be notified by email with a window to purchase.
