About Madison Opera
Madison Opera is a non-profit, professional opera company based in Madison, Wisconsin. A resident organization of the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Opera produces three operas annually in addition to Opera in the Park and a variety of educational programming.
With the 2020/21 season, Madison Opera celebrates our 60th year of being one of only two opera companies in Wisconsin that provide the experience of fully-staged grand opera. Our mission is to produce opera of the highest artistic standards, and our three mainstage productions draw over 10,000 audience members each year to the Overture Center to enjoy both classic operas such as Carmen and modern masterpieces such as Fellow Travelers. Our gift to the community, Opera in the Park, attracts over 15,000 people to Madison from across Wisconsin for a free concert on a beautiful July evening.
Staff
GENERAL DIRECTOR – Kathryn Smith – Bio
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – John DeMain – Bio
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – Jennifer Fenster
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT – Beth Tolles
PATRON SERVICES MANAGER – Samantha Garcia
MARKETING MANAGER – Andrew Rogers
PRODUCTION MANAGER – Kenneth Ferencek
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / WAREHOUSE MANAGER – Billy Larimore
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER – Jill Krynicki
Board of Trustees
Officers
PRESIDENT – John Lemke*
CHAIRMAN – Thomas Terry*
VICE PRESIDENT – Peyton Engel*
VICE PRESIDENT – Susan Zaeske*
TREASURER – Connie Kinsella*
SECRETARY – Sharyn Stumpf*
Trustees
Carla J. Alvarado
Martin Barrett*
Gary Bennett
Viki Brigham
John Buscemi
Martha Casey
Leanne Cordisco
Peyton Engel*
David Flanders
Brian Haltinner
Brandon Hayes
Joyce Hirsch
Stephen Hurley*
R. Roth Judd
Connie Kinsella*
Fran Klos*
Franzo Law II
John Lemke*
Susan Lipp
Patti Lucas
Pete Lundberg*
Connie Maxwell
Michael McArdle
Sonja Micksch
Sally Miley*
J. Marshall Osborn*
Deepika Rajesh
Charles Snowdon*
Sharyn Stumpf*
J. Ashley Taylor
Thomas Terry*
Toby Wallach
Susan Zaeske*
*Executive Committee
Life Trustee
Aileen Jensen
Advisors
Bert Adams
Marian Bolz
Kennedy Gilchrist
Fern Lawrence
Elaine Staley
Karen Walsh
Helen Wineke
The Margaret C. Winston
Madison Opera Center
Located at 335 W. Mifflin Street, just one block from Overture Center’s stage door, the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center is both our artistic home and our administrative home, with our offices, rehearsal hall, costume shop and more. Over the course of a season, the Opera Center is home to auditions, rehearsals, meetings, previews, donor events, and so much more.
The Opera Center may be rented for rehearsals and events; the parking ramp associated is available for public parking.
The Studio Artist Program
Established in 2012, the Madison Opera Studio Artist Program is an important part of the company’s artistic and educational mission. The Studio Artists are three or four singers in the transitional period between university and their professional careers. Over the course of a season, Studio Artists perform small roles and understudy major roles in Madison Opera’s productions, as well as serving as the company’s musical ambassadors across our region. Due to the pandemic, we do not have a class of Studio Artists in the 20/21 season, but we look forward to bringing the program back for the 21/22 season.
Previous Studio Artists
Soprano
Emily Secor
Mezzo
Kirsten Larson
Tenor
Benjamin Hopkins
Baritone
Stephen Hobe
Soprano
Emily Secor
Mezzo
Kirsten Larson
Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo
Baritone
Stephen Hobe
Soprano
Anna Polum
Mezzo
Megan Ott Romero
Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo
Soprano
Anna Polum
Mezzo
Anna Parks
Baritone
James Held
Soprano
Marie McManama
Mezzo
Kelsey Park
Tenor
William Ottow
Baritone
Nathaniel Hill
Soprano
Chelsea Morris
Mezzo
Anna Laurenzo
Tenor
Thomas Leighton
Soprano
Gillian Hollis
Soprano
Jessie Lyons
Tenor
Scott Brunscheen
Soprano
Jeni Houser
Mezzo
Jessica Timman
Tenor
Adam Shelton
Baritone
John Arnold
Auditions
JUST ANNOUNCED: STUDIO ARTIST AUDITIONS
Madison Opera is holding auditions for Wisconsin and Upper Midwest-based young artists to participate in our Studio Artist Program in the 2021/22 season. Auditions will be held in person for fully-vaccinated artists only on June 19. Artists who are not yet fully-vaccinated, or who are unable to audition in person on June 19, will be asked to submit two video recordings as their audition.
Studio Artist responsibilities include covering mainstage roles, singing small roles or chorus as appropriate, and performing previews and other activities as scheduled by mutual agreement between September 2021 and May 2022. Please note that this is not a full-time program, and compensation will be based on specific assignments. While there is no specific age range required, artists should have completed their undergraduate degree and be in the early stages of a professional opera career.
To be considered for an audition, or for more information, please email your resume and headshot to auditions@madisonopera.org.
PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
Principal Artist auditions are generally held every winter for the following season. Please check back in October 2021 when we announce the audition dates for consideration in the 2022/23 season.
MADISON OPERA CHORUS AUDITIONS
Chorus auditions are held every summer for the following season. Please check back in June 2021 when we announce the audition dates for consideration in the 2021/22 season.
If you have questions about any of these auditions, please contact info@madisonopera.org.
Production Assistant Program
The Production Assistant position offers a hands-on experience in a professional opera environment. This volunteer position is ideal for college and high school students, giving them the chance to work backstage as part of the production team and learn stage management skills. Exact tasks are assigned based on interest and aptitude.
Job Openings
Patron Services Manager
Madison Opera seeks a highly organized, customer service-oriented individual to join its team. The Patron Service Manager handles all ticketing activities, as well as assisting in the implementation of development and marketing activities. They maintain a superior level of professionalism, accuracy, courtesy, and efficiency, providing the highest level of service to patrons.
Read full job description. To apply, send cover letter and resume to fenster@madisonopera.org by June 15.