Anais Mitchell

Anaïs Mitchell is a celebrated American singer-songwriter and playwright whose career has significantly shaped the contemporary folk and musical theatre landscape. She began her musical journey at the age of 17, and by 2003, she had already won the prestigious New Folk award at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Her debut album, “Hymns for the Exiled,” released in 2004, garnered attention and led to her signing with Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records, marking a pivotal moment in her career.

In 2006, Mitchell introduced her groundbreaking folk opera, “Hadestown,” which she developed in collaboration with arranger Michael Chorney and director Ben T. Matchstick. This innovative project evolved over the years, culminating in a critically acclaimed album in 2010 that reimagined the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a post-apocalyptic setting. The album’s success laid the groundwork for its transformation into a stage musical, which debuted at the New York Theatre Workshop in 2016.

The Broadway adaptation of “Hadestown” opened in April 2019 and received widespread acclaim, winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Mitchell herself was honored with the Tony Award for Best Original Score, solidifying her status as a leading figure in musical theatre. The Broadway cast album also won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2020, further showcasing her artistic prowess.

In addition to her solo work, Mitchell is a member of the band Bonny Light Horseman, which has released two albums, expanding her influence in the music industry. With a career marked by innovation and excellence, Anaïs Mitchell continues to inspire audiences worldwide through her unique storytelling and musical artistry.