The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor
Public on-sale begins on August 11, 2026.
Ticket price to be announced. Student tickets always $11. Eligible for CLE Credit.
“A meditation on voice, protest and the courage to live a life that defies the norm.” – Irish America Magazine
For anyone who has ever questioned their place, pushed against expectations, or wondered what it costs to remain true to yourself, The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor is for you.
Inspired by the music, words, and enduring spirit of Sinéad O’Connor, director and choreographer Sonya Tayeh creates a powerful dance experience performed by ten women over the age of 40. O’Connor’s music and narration, drawn from her memoir Rememberings, weave throughout the performance.
The Surge is a reflection on identity, aging, freedom, and the courage required to live authentically in a world that often rewards conformity. What emerges is both deeply personal and unexpectedly communal: a celebration of women who refuse to disappear, soften themselves for others, or surrender the right to define their own lives.
Why We’re Presenting This
Some voices endure because the questions they raised have never been fully resolved.
Throughout her life and career, Sinéad O’Connor challenged assumptions about gender, power, faith, identity, and who gets to speak uncomfortable truths. Fiercely independent and unapologetically herself, she understood that art can do more than reflect the world, it can challenge it.
At a moment when debates about autonomy, representation, and whose voices are valued continue to shape public life, The Surge reminds us that art can create space for conversations that are difficult, necessary, and unfinished. Through music, movement, and storytelling, the work transforms O’Connor’s legacy into something immediate and communal, connecting personal experiences to broader questions about how we live, speak, and stand up for what matters.
The result is a tribute that refuses nostalgia, using O’Connor’s life and work to engage with questions that remain as urgent today as when she first raised them.
Event Details
- Runtime: approximately 70 minutes, with no intermission
- Late seating policy: to be announced
- Additional information: visit our FAQ page
About the Artists
Photo by Kate Garner
To learn more about Sonya Tayeh, click here.
Discount Information
We offer several discounts for CPA series performances only. Partner and rental events are not eligible.
Important Notes
- Discounts must be applied at the time of purchase and cannot be added retroactively.
- Only one discount can be used per order.
- Enter discount code before adding tickets to cart.*
UNC-Chapel Hill Students
$11 ticketsZones 3, 4 & 5
UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty & Staff
25% offUNCRET2627 Retired faculty/staff
UNC Health Staff
25% offCarolina Alumni Members
15% offSeniors (65+)
15% offNon-UNC Students
K–College, statewide
$11 ticketsZones 3, 4 & 5
Military & First Responders
15% off*We reserve the right to cancel tickets that do not follow these guidelines.