Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 11 - safronia

21 | Lyric Opera of Chicago BAILEY HAYNES CHAMPION booker family Lyric debut Champion is currently an educator within Chicago Public Schools, where she puts her belief into practice that teachers should continue to perform alongside their teaching careers. As a vocalist, she has toured India, South Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and several U.S. states. She has performed as a background vocalist for artists including Al Green, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Colbie Caillat, Babyface, and appeared as a background vocalist on Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book album. In 2021 she was the opening act for Grammy Award-winning artist Charlie Wilson. She received her B.S. in Music Education from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and her Masters in Music Education from the University of Louisville. SYDNEY CHARLES booker family Lyric debut The Chicago-born Charles is a 2025 NewCity Hall of Fame inductee. Her stage career moves from storefront theatres to major institutions, including Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre. Her directing work spans new plays and multidisciplinary projects. In audio, she served as associate director for Make-Believe Association’s Hamlet and starred and co-created Lake Song , both Tribeca Audio Premieres selections, alongside numerous narrative and commercial voiceover credits. Television credits include The Chi, South Side , and Shameless . MICIAH LATHAN booker family Lyric debut The Chicago-based actress and singer has appeared in acclaimed productions such as Let The Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo Musical at The Phoenix Theatre Company, Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire at Black Ensemble Theatre, as well as Beehive: The 60s Musical at Marriott Theatre. ERIC ANDREW LEWIS booker family Previously at Lyric: Jesus Christ Superstar (2017/18). Other credits for the versatile performer include off-Broadway hit Spamilton at Royal George Theatre; Dreamgirls (Jeff Award) and Titanique at Porchlight Music Theatre; Revolution(s) and The Color Purple at the Goodman Theatre; The Little Mermaid , The Who’s Tommy , and In the Heights at Paramount Theatre; Shrek the Musical , Seussical , Dreamgirls , and How to Succeed… at Marriott Theatre; Gospel at Colonus and Five Guys Named Moe at Court Theatre; All Shook Up at Theatre at the Center; More Than A Miracle at Congo Square Theatre; Parade at BoHo Theatre; and Once Upon A People at Black Ensemble Theatre. RENELLE NICOLE booker family Lyric debut The Chicagoland native, now based in Los Angeles, is known for her roles as Gianna on the Starz TV show Power Book IV: FORCE , the recurring role of Nurse Trisha on NBC’s Chicago Med , High Potential (ABC), Bookie (MAX), Snowfall (FX), Friend Request (BET), Empire (Fox), and more. Nicole has appeared in numerous musical productions throughout Chicago at Mercury Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Paramount Theatre, and TimeLine Theatre, among others. Her regional credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Portland Stage/Maine State Music Theatre. She received her BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. JESSICA BROOKE SEALS booker family Lyric debut The Chicago-based native actress and vocalist has been performing since the age of six. Most recently, she presented her solo concert, A Night with Jessica Brooke , at the Goodman Theatre. Among her favorite theatrical credits are The Gospel at Colonus (Court Theatre), Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Women of Soul (Mercury Theater), The Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theater), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theater). She continues to expand her artistry through new creative challenges on stage and beyond. MAXEL M c LOUD SCHINGEN booker family Lyric debut The performer’s numerous Chicago theater credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Arthur and Friends Make a Musical (Marriott Theatre); The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, Grease, and Shrek the Musical (Drury Lane Theater); Brighter Futures (Paramount Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical and Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions); New Faces Sing Broadway 1971 (Porchlight Music Theatre); Chicago Celebrates Sondheim (The Auditorium Theatre); and Mary Rose (Black Button Eyes Productions). Schingen’s television credits include Chicago Med .