Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 11 - safronia

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 64 What is your role here at Lyric? Basically, I oversee on-premise cloud-based network operations to ensure that we have high availability and optimal performance. That means I oversee the computer network to make sure that all of the workstations are working properly, that they’re able to connect to printers, that we’re able to connect to the Internet, that we don’t have any vulnerabilities such as viruses or phishing attempts. We really lock down the network to make sure that we keep our systems as safe as possible. I also oversee hardware — printers, copiers, the phone system. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? There are so many bad actors out there looking to destroy networks and set off ransomware attacks. And that’s 24/7. If I could show you the dashboard, you’d see that there are thousands and thousands of new threats every day. The sheer number of potential threats is astronomical. With the help of our managed detection and response partners, we block millions of potential threat connections per month. We might get fewer than ten that we actually have to look into. I take that part of my job really seriously because we’re responsible for making sure that the work our colleagues do is protected. We’ve got lots of intellectual property that we need to protect. The Met got attacked a few years ago. They were down for quite a while. It shut down their ticketing right at the holidays, and it took them quite a while to recover from that. Since then, they took our lead. They’ve now implemented some of the things we’ve done to better protect their network. Lyric has really taken the necessary steps to stay ahead of attacks like that. What else would surprise people about your job? Many people don’t know that I’m very involved in some of the day- to-day aspects of our point-of-sale system – the checkout system we use for concessions and also for the Graham Room. I’m making sure that it’s running, that it’s secure, that it’s configured properly, and that it’s able to process transactions. Same for the ticket scanners. Particularly at the start of a season or at the start of a new production, I consider myself an extension of the front-of-house team, because it’s all hands on deck — and I like to be hands-on. What do you like about working in the arts? I love seeing how the different parts of the organization work together and being part of a team that’s really involved in all areas of the organization — making sure the staff can log into their workstations, making sure they can print, making sure they can connect to each other. We make sure that the Wi-Fi is working optimally in the rehearsal spaces and the coaching rooms. I take great pride in being at least a small part of making sure all those operations run properly. We’re not necessarily directly involved in what happens on stage – but we help people do their jobs. We’re putting world-class performances on our stage. People of Lyric A behind-the-scenes conversation Hometown Chicago When did you start at Lyric? September of 2015. I’ll tell you — those 10 years have flown by. First opera you saw live? The Pearl Fishers (2017/18) Favorite Lyric production? I was really proud of Blue — a raw and sensitive but compelling production. Beyond opera, what are your other passions? I love reading biographies, particularly autobiographies. And visiting iconic locales and sites of historical significance. Favorite performer? I’m a huge Prince fan. Eric Hayes Senior Director of IT Operations Kyle Flubacker