Opera Philadelphia has announced “New Directions,” a new series of digital collaborations created by Music Theatre Wales.

The series aims to question the essence of opera and what it can be by commissioning and working with artists who are often ignored or excluded from creating opera.

To that effect, the company turned to Tumi Williams and Sita Thomas to create “The House of Jollof Opera,” a work about a budding chef who aims to impress Asha, the tired and hard-working boss of a neighborhood café.

Audiences will also get to check out “Pride (A Lion’s Roar”) by Renell Shaw and Rachael Young. The work explores the experience of prejudice that many people of color have had to deal with.

Finally, “Somehow,” by Krystal S. Lowe and Jasmin Kent Rodgman, explores intimacy and relationships, blurring the lines between onstage and onscreen.

The showcase is set to stream between Dec. 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022.