Barbara Smith Conrad

Barbara Conrad was an American opera singer. In 1956, she was part of the first class of African Americans at the University of Texas at Austin. When she was cast as Dido in Dido and Aeneas, controversy brewed as she was cast opposite a white man. The part was taken away from Conrad a mere two weeks before the show opened. Despite the insult, Conrad stayed at UT to continue to advocate for integration at the school. Conrad eventually opened up a private studio that trained performers and singers.