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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
February 17 - March 16, 2018
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What is your role here at Lyric,
and how long have you held the
position?
I’m the production manager for
Lyric Unlimited (Lyric’s department
devoted to education and
community engagement) and the
Ryan Opera Center, and I’ve had
this position for one year. I am the
liaison between those departments
and our technical department, and
I help coordinate the logistics of the
design elements for their different
productions. I help facilitate
backstage elements like lighting,
sound, scenic, and costumes, and I
work with the director and creative
teams to make sure we are executing
the design concept they have in
mind. Whether it’s a garage moving
on and off stage, specialty scenic
floors, or an added disco ball, I work with the rest of the team to figure
out how their artistic decisions can be made into a reality within the
proposed budget and on schedule.
What led you to work at Lyric?
After graduating from school with a degree in stage management,
I quickly became fascinated with production management. In the
performing arts, there tend to be many projects where a great idea is
there, but the organization needed to see it through is not present. I
love being one of the people who facilitate those amazing concepts
and bring them to fruition. When I saw the opening for a production
manager at Lyric, I knew I had to apply. It was truly a dream of mine
to work here with the dedicated technical team and under the roof of
this gorgeous building.
What’s a typical day like for you?
That really depends on the production schedule for the day. Sometimes
I’m planning the upcoming season schedule for designers, production
teams, and simultaneously monitoring that we stay within the budget.
I also spend time researching local designers – we look to hire and
support local talent for Lyric Unlimited productions – and seeing
who’s creating some really amazing work. I might also be fielding
emails and questions, attending meetings with designers and directors
for upcoming shows, or at an off-site venue making sure a load-in or
technical rehearsals are going smoothly.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
It’s a brand new position so there’s no specific template for my role,
and no one preceding me to show me the ropes of exactly what the
job entails. But that’s allowed me to collaborate with my colleagues
to figure out how I can best fulfill
the needs of the company. It’s a
challenge because that means there
is an extra step (or a few!) with every
new process, but it’s rewarding.
What keeps you committed to the
work you do?
The artistic outcome of the different
productions, specifically working
on engagement and education
programming with Lyric Unlimited
and the Ryan Opera Center, is
really fulfilling. It’s great to know
we’re passing on all of these artistic
endeavors to another generation,
and showing them how impactful
the arts can be. Whether it’s
through new commissions that shine
a light on stories people haven’t
heard before, or taking operatic
productions to schools for kids who might have never been exposed to
the art form, it’s all extremely relevant. Arts funding is often the first to
get cut in schools, so having that available for students to explore is so
important for youth development.
What’s something about your job that people might not know?
When a show is in technical rehearsals, my role essentially is just doing
what needs to be done in the moment to keep the ball rolling and
allow other people to execute their jobs. Sometimes this means literally
hopping in a 53-foot-long truck with a truck driver to personally escort
them through the depths of “lower-lower” downtown Chicago to get
them to a difficult-to-find loading dock.
Favorite Lyric moment?
After working for countless hours with the rest of my team on the
Chicago Voices concert, being able to sit in the house for the show
was an incredible moment. The atmosphere and energy were so
intoxicating. In production, we don’t always get the opportunity to sit
in the house and experience firsthand what we’ve helped create. Being
immersed in the palpable excitement with our patrons was definitely
my favorite moment so far.
Beyond opera, what are your other passions?
Watching the Dallas Cowboys. I grew up in Dallas, and I really enjoy
watching sports. My mom taught me everything I know about football
through our “Monday Night Football tutoring” sessions we had when
I was in the sixth grade. I’ve been in love with the sport (and the team)
ever since. It gives me a piece of home here in Chicago.
— Kamaria Morris
BACKSTAGE LIFE: Madeleine Borg