Allen Shearer writes about his process in this article in the newsletter of NATS, Bay Area Chapter.

Allen and Claudia have created four previous operatic works: Blue Lias, for Claudia’s solo performance (Cleveland, Houston, Omaha, Los Angeles, Boston); The Dawn Makers, Brian Staufenbiel, Director, in a 2009 production at Herbst Theater; A Very Large Mole, presented by Composers, Inc. in 2010;  Riddle Me, a chamber opera for children, commissioned by Brian Staufenbiel for Opera Theater at UC, Santa Cruz. 

The Dawn Makers is one of three finalists in the National Opera Association’s 2014-16 Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition. See this fantastical and colorful opera in full, live at Herbst Theater, on vimeo.  https://vimeo.com/72515045