Carmen

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O

February 11 - March 25, 2017

What is your role here at Lyric,

and how long have you held the

position?

My role is stage manager and this

is my 27th season. I essentially

act as project manager for a show,

helping to create an environment

where people can do their best

work. I meet with the director and

the creative teams and determine

their needs for the production and

how I can best accomplish their

vision during their time here at

Lyric. I work with a show from its

initial technical process, through

the opening performance, and

throughout its run on the stage.

What led you to work at Lyric?

I’m from the Chicago area and I’d done a lot of freelance work

around the country in stage management. I love the “City of Big

Shoulders”; Chicago is vibrant and amazing, and no matter where

I go, it’s always been home. Lyric was and continues to be an

incredible company doing some truly groundbreaking work. The

musical standards here are unmatched and I knew I wanted to be a

part of it.

What’s a typical day like for you?

We arrive well before the day’s rehearsals begin. Our team follows

up on any notes from the day before with the technical department

and crews, checks the rehearsal space to make sure it’s ready for

rehearsal or performance, and double-checks scheduling with the

rehearsal department. Once rehearsals begin in the morning, we

take attendance, keep track of notes for the various departments,

track all staging, coordinate scene shifts with stage hands, cue

entrances, act as timekeepers, and make sure the information

is communicated in a timely manner. At the end of the day,

we produce written notes and reports from the rehearsals and

performances. During performances and onstage rehearsals, we’re

responsible for calling the technical and lighting cues and ensuring

everything is running smoothly with the production.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Each show brings its own unique set of challenges, but I try to

view them as opportunities for success. A production might be

technologically difficult to pull off, or it might be an opera that has

highly complex musical elements.

Fortunately, we have tremendous

resources here and amazingly

talented people on staff whose

breadth of experience and sincere

desire to produce high quality

work is what gets us through the

challenging times.

What keeps you committed to the

work you do?

Being a part of a production that

is musically, dramatically, and

artistically spectacular is fantastic.

The work is exciting, there’s always

a new challenge, and you’re only

as good as your last show. We’re

all here because we think the work

is important, and we love to create these works for the public and

share the experience with them.

What’s something about your job that people might not know?

That stage managers spend more time with the creative team and

artists in a production than just about anyone else in the company.

We’re at every rehearsal and performance, and really learn the ins

and outs of every show.

Favorite Lyric moment?

I came home after a challenging day of rehearsals during the 1993

season and I had a message on my answering machine from Ardis

Krainik (Lyric’s general director from 1982 to 1997). The first thing

I heard was, “Hello dearie! This is Ardis – surprise!” She was very

kind and said she knew it had been a rough day and how much

she appreciated my hard work. It was incredible and a moment I’ll

never forget.

Beyond opera, what are your other passions?

I love going to the other cultural institutions around the city like

theaters, the symphony, and the Art Institute. I enjoy traveling,

but I also love being at home and relaxing with family. When I

have vacation time towards the end of the season, something small

like pulling weeds in my garden and spending time outside is

really fulfilling.

— Kamaria Morris

Public Relations Specialist

BACKSTAGE LIFE: John W. Coleman