Italian Coloratura Soprano

Ripalta Bufo

Born in Puglia, Italy, in 2013 she graduated in Opera Singing with top marks, honors, summa cum laude, and mention of merit under the mentorship of the soprano Maria Paola De Luca, at the Umberto Giordano Conservatory of Foggia. In 2016 she obtained her Master in Opera Singing and Musical Theater at the Giuseppe Martucci Conservatory of Salerno, graduating with top marks, honors, summa cum laude, and mention of merit. She perfected her skills with the sopranos of the caliber of Luciana Serra, Barbara Frittoli, Elizabeth Norberg Schulz and Donata D'Annunzio Lombardi.

She is the winner (1st prize) of the Rome Caput Mundi International Opera Competition. Winner (1st prize) of the International Competition Emil Rotundu. Winner (2nd prize) of the X Giulio Neri International Lyric Competition. Winner (2nd prize) of the IV Antonio Bazzini International Lyric Competition. Winner (1st prize overall) of the XIV Umberto Giordano International Opera Competition.

She performed the roles of Countess of Folleville in Rossini's Il Viaggio a Reims; Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto; Rosina in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia ; Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore; Queen of the Night in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte; Frasquita in Bizet's Carmen; Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème; Countessa Olga Sukarev in Fedora by Giordano; Violetta Valery in Verdi's La traviata; soprano soloist in Carl Orff's Carmina Burana; Nedda in Pagliacci by Leoncavallo; Rosalina in IlRe of Giordano; Serpina in Pergolesi's La serva padrona; Lucy in Menotti's The Telephone; Lesbina in Galuppi's Il filosofo di campagna; Minnie in L'isola azzurra by Nardella (world premiere); Rosetta in Netti's La Filli; Lea in Marcella di Giordano; Suor Agnese in Mese Mariano of Giordano.

She performed in major concerts in Italy and abroad, including:Concerts at “9th Italian festival” in Scottsdale (United States) with Italian Association Az; concert Opera Festival “Viva Opera” at State Philharmonic Hall  in Baku, Azerbaijan2024 ; recital "Dream Nights" at the Tirana Opera House 2023; Gala concert “In honor of Renato Balestra” at the National Theater in Belgrade; Midsummer Festival in Tagliacozzo 2022; Sacrum Festival 2021 in Rome, at the Ara Coeli basilica in Campidoglio broadcast on Rai5, concert for the Italian Embassy of St. Petersburg in Russia;Italian Embassy in Cairo in Egypt; Italian Embassy in Lima in Peru; Sala Maria Callas (Teatro Regio of Turin); La Chaudronnerie near La Ciotat, France; Milanese event EXPO 2015; concert and opera at Ancient Theater of Taormina;Farinelli Festival; Dubrovnik Summer Festival in Croatia; 50th Festival of Nations in Città di Castello; Opera Festival in collaboration with the Teatro Grande of Brescia; Palazzo Vecchio, Salone dei Cinquecento in Florence; Université Libre de Bruxelles; Montepulciano Art Festival Construction site; Umberto Giordano Theatre; GDL at Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano in Naples;Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome; Carrara music friends club; World Music Festival in Prague; Peterborough in England; Malgrat de Mar Fibm Festival in Barcelona and many others.

She has worked with directors such as Alberto Paloscia, Enrico Stinchelli, Paolo Borgogna, Antonio de Lucia, Riccardo Canessa, Gianluca Chiera, Giandomenico Vaccari; with conductors such as Murat Cem Orhan, Pablo Varela, Enrico Melozzi, Jimmy Chiang, Davide Dellisanti, Gianna Fratta, Ferdinando Redavid, Elio Orciuolo, Mikhail Kirchhoff, Benedetto Montebello, Andrea Palmacci, Martins Ozolins, Sandor Gyudi, Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli.

She is the Artistic director of the “Francesco De Matteo” Festival, in Italy, and is expanding her artistic activity in the United States of America.

Tony Award-winning Actor

Shuler Hensley

Shuler Hensley is an award-winning actor and director returning to ATC for his second season as Scrooge. He has been director/artistic director of City Springs Theatre Company since its inception and directed The Sound of Music (2021), Fiddler on the Roof (2023) and most recently The Music Man in 2024. Shuler recently directed/starred as Tevye in The Fiddler on the Roof at Aspen Music Festival, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music at Lincoln Center (with Cynthia Erivo), and in Broadway’s The Music Man, playing the role of Marcellus Washburn with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. He also has recently been seen as Tom Kettle in Broadway’s The Ferryman and the New Group’s production of Sweet Charity opposite Sutton Foster. He previously appeared on Broadway in No Man’s Land (also Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Waiting For Godot in repertory, opposite Patrick Stewart, lan McKellen, and Billy Crudup; as The Monster in Young Frankenstein (also the National Tour and London’s West End); Kerchak in Tarzan; Jud Fry in Oklahoma! (also at The National Theatre and London’s West End – Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Olivier Awards); and Javert in Les Misérables. Opera appearances include Wozzeck (Curtis Institute of Music) and Regina opposite Patti LuPone (Kennedy Center). Hensley has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Symphony Orchestra. TV credits include Dexter: New Blood, The Good Fight, Murder of a President, Shades of Blue, Banshee, The Americans, Ed, Deadline, Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Intent, and The Jury. Film credits include Brutal Season, Devil’s Hollow, The Greatest Showman, After.Life, The Legend of Zorro, Van Helsing, Monday Night Mayhem, Someone Like You, and Opa! A proud Equity member, Hensley was awarded the “Stage Performance of the Year” by New York Magazine in recognition for his work in The Whale. He is also the namesake of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

About ATC

Recognized as the Official State Theatre of Arizona with a legacy started in 1966, Arizona Theatre Company has an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional theatrical experiences to the communities of Tucson and Tempe/Phoenix. As the sole LORT (League of Resident Theatres) professional nonprofit regional theatre in Arizona, ATC proudly sets the gold standard for artistic excellence and innovation. Led by Executive Director Geri Wright and Kasser Family Artistic Director Matt August, ATC’s impact extends far beyond the stage, with a steadfast commitment to outreach, education, and community engagement. Annually, ATC reaches more than 300,000 patrons through mainstage productions, student matinees, and community events and initiatives. ATC believes in the transformative power of art, be part of the experience! For more information, visit atc.org.