A gifted black music student at the University of Texas is thrust into a civil rights storm that changes her life forever.

​Barbara Smith Conrad is cast in an opera to co-star with a white male classmate, fueling a racist backlash from members of the Texas legislature. When Barbara is expelled from the cast, the incident escalates to national news, prompting unexpected support from a pop superstar.

This small-town girl, whose voice and spirit stem from her roots in East Texas, emerges as an internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano and headlines on stages around the world.  

When I Rise is an inspirational journey toward finding forgiveness within oneself.

The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
​presents an
Alpheus Media production
in association with
Allentown Productions
​

Director
Producer
Producer
Executive Producer 
Co-Producer 
Co-Producer 
Director of Photography 
Editor
Editor 
Composer 

Mat Hames
James Moll
Michael Rosen
Don Carleton
Ramona Kelly
Alison Beck
Wilson Waggoner
Mat Hames
Sandra Guardado
David Hamburger​

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