JEFF BELL Event Co-Chair
SUSAN VEREKAR Event Co-Chair
Two complimentary bars featuring The Hero's Elixir, our specialty cocktail
Hors d'oeuvres buffet from By the Tracks Catering
The Velvet Vault by Markman’s Diamonds
Selfie and 360° fashion camera stations provided by Knox 360
Innocence • Wonder • Possibility
Susan's hand-painted gowns introduce a world of imagination, beauty and limitless possibility. Ethereal silhouettes and luminous fabrics evoke the innocence of beginnings, reminding us that every great journey starts with a dream.
ACT I - THE DREAMER
Giacomo Puccini
Rebecca Krynski Cox, soprano
Chi'l bel sogno di Doretta
La rondine
Discovery • Resolve • Preparation
The dreamer begins to see the world differently. Color deepens. Black accents emerge. Hints of armor appear as beauty meets strength. The hero prepares to leave comfort behind.
ACT II - THE AWAKENING
Georges Bizet
Jason Cox, baritone
Toreador Song
Carmen
Conflict • Shadow • Transformation Through Adversity
The journey reaches its darkest hour. Avant-garde couture, sculptural silhouettes and drama reveal uncertainty, struggle and resilience. It is here that true transformation begins.
ACT III - THE DESCENT
Giuseppe Verdi
Rebecca Krynski Cox, soprano
Jason Cox, baritone
Imponete... Morro!
La traviata
ACT IV - THE METAMORPHOSIS
Revelation • Blooming • Becoming
Unexpected wardrobe reveals symbolize shedding the old self. Fashion becomes movement. The hero discovers who they were always meant to become.
Giacomo Puccini
Rebecca Krynski Cox, soprano
Vissi d’arte
Tosca
Freedom • Ascension • Victory
The runway soars into a breathtaking celebration of courage, hope and possibility. The journey is complete—not because the challenges have disappeared, but because the hero has been transformed by them.
ACT V - THE TRIUMPH
Franz Lehár
Rebecca Krynski Cox, soprano
Jason Cox, baritone
Lippen Schweigen
Die lustige Witwe
DAZZLE IN EXQUISITE JEWELS
Step into the Velvet Vault where a private selection of Markman’s finest diamonds awaits. Adorn yourself in the perfect piece to wear for the night, available to rent for $150 per piece.
TAKE A PIECE OF THE RUNWAY HOME
Fall in love with a look? After the show, select pieces from the runway will be available for purchase, with private fitting areas ready for you to try them on. Stop by the wardrobe racks on the main floor after the runway show to see the pieces up close and make your purchase.
Designer Marc Nelson is also offering a signature look, available at the event, with a personal fitting at his boutique, tailored just for you.
All runway sales and a portion of Marc Nelson sales benefit Knoxville Opera!
VIEW RUNWAY OUTFITS
MEET THE ARTISTS
REBECCA KRYNSKI COX, SOPRANO
Knoxville Opera: Mimì, La bohème, 2025
Recent: Wendy Torrance, The Shining (Moravec), Hawaii Opera Theater; Leonora, Il trovatore, North Carolina Opera; Soprano Soloist, Verdi Requiem, Tulsa Symphony
Upcoming: Soprano Soloist, Beethoven’s Egmont Symphony & Fidelio excerpts, York Symphony
JASON COX, BARITONE
Knoxville Opera Debut
Recent: Figaro, Le nozze di Figaro, Northern Lights Music Festival and Indianapolis Opera; Belcore, L’elisir d’amore, Charleston Opera Theater; Papageno, Die Zauberflöte, Indianapolis Opera; Jochanaan, Salome, Faninal, Der Rosenkavalier, Guglielmo, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni, Germont, La Traviata, Ford, Falstaff, Brétingy, Manon, Lord Cecil, Maria Stuarda, General Bumm, La Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein, Luzerner Theater; Jochanaan, Salome, Frère Léon, St François d’Assise, Vater, Hänsel und Gretel, Junius, The Rape of Lucretia, Theater Basel
PRODUCTION TEAM
Styling Susan Verekar
Hair and Makeup Shane Archer, Grow
Lighting and Sound Stellar Visions
Décor and Production Jeff Bell
Runway Director Gibson Smith
Assistant Runway Director Beatrice Mac Cabe
Emcee and Performance Director Dean Anthony
Operatic Artistic Director Caitlin Bolden
House Manager Jane George
Assistant House Manager Maggie Zeltner
MODELS
Catalina Evans, Shea Bane, Janelle Witcher, Heather Waliga, Georgia Morris, Katie Spencer, Shannon Day, Sheryl Houston, Brooke Phillips, Bridget Jones
— Atelier Sponsor —
Markman’s
— Supermodel Sponsor —
FirstBank
Julia and Mike Mullaney
Stellar Visions & Sound
Susan Verekar
— Catwalk Sponsor —
KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.
Holden Caperton and Cori Glafenhein
Creekside Capital, Inc.
Eden and Chris Bishop
Amy and Nathan Honeycutt, McCarty Holsaple McCarty
— Style Sponsor —
The Dryer Family Foundation
Market Square Ventures
Aaron White and Mark Hill
Brent Midyett and Melissa Gabor Midyett
Dr. Stephen Miller and Dr. Keith Hnilica
Alwyn and Sara Staley
Theresa Stone
Mary Walker
