What was your first experience with opera?
I learned to love opera from my Grandmother. She was a big opera fan, and we would watch old Met productions on PBS or rent VHS recordings from the library and watch them together. These are some of my favorite memories with her. I didn’t work on an opera until I came to UNL, and the first show I was a part of was Rigoletto. I was a “super” in the opening party scene, and asked Dr. Shomos if I could be his “assistant” for the production so that I could learn as much as possible about the process, even though I had a couple of class conflicts with the rehearsal times. I really loved working backstage, and I then made it a priority to be able to work on the opera for the rest of my time at UNL.
You are an alumna of the Glenn Korff School of Music. What is your favorite memory/memories from your time as a UNL opera student?
I think most memorable show was probably L’inocornazione di Poppea. It is SUCH an amazing piece, and even though the scenic shifts were kind of crazy, I had an amazing ASM and we figured out some really complicated scene changes. I also really enjoyed directing my honors thesis project, which was an opera scenes program of scenes from operas based on Shakespeare’s plays. Most of all, though, I remember hanging out with the amazing students who were in the program with me. I am still friends with a lot of them, and just being in rehearsals and doing shows together are my most beloved memories.
How did you get into directing?
I got into directing by assisting Dr. Shomos. Dr. Hanrahan, my voice teacher, noticed I had a knack for thinking dramatically, and encouraged me to get involved with the operas. I was then Dr. Shomos’s assistant for several shows, and really fell in love with the art of storytelling and directing. I love being able to create the world of the story and tell it through music with the people onstage.
What brought you back to UNL opera?
I have been hoping to come direct at UNL for a little while now, and when Dr. Shomos asked if I was available this fall, I was so excited that I was free!
What are you looking forward to most this season?
I am looking forward to a season of directing all new productions. It is always fun to return to a show you are familiar with, but there is something special about having a year full of new adventures.
What advice do you have for current opera students at UNL?
My advice is to know as much as you can about your art form. Volunteer to work backstage for a show if you are not in the cast or only have a small part, ask to observe rehearsals, listen to the orchestra (not just the singing) – bonus points if you check out the full score from the library and follow along. Work on learning the languages of opera and practice speaking your texts as if you were a native speaker of that language. Read as much as you can about opera, its history, and the literature that becomes the libretti. There is no better way to learn about opera than to be immersed in it. Start cultivating a lifelong learning relationship with this artform, because if you are lucky, you will never stop discovering.