Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 8 - Salome

63 | Lyric Opera of Chicago The Opera Pathfinders Council focuses on opera and performance arts from the perspective of an arts administrator. Participants are introduced to the basics of arts administration by staff members from Lyric in addition to professionals from other cultural institutions in Chicago. After learning from members of Lyric’s artistic, finance, development, marketing, and human resources departments, the Opera Pathfinders Council tasks participants with creating and presenting on their own mock opera company, complete with a name, opera season, operating budget, and marketing plan. The Opera Pathfinders Producers delve into the behind-the-scenes world of tech and production. Through discussions with members of Lyric’s technical, lighting, and audio departments, this path teaches participants what it takes to bring a massive production to life on the Lyric stage. Members of the Opera Pathfinders Producers put these skills into practice, forming design teams to create production models with lighting and special effects as part of a final design display and presentation. The Opera Pathfinders Collective provides participants with a route to learn more about opera, the performing arts, and cultural institutions in Chicago. This track is focused on engagement, looking at opera from the perspective of an audience member. Participants attend and volunteer at Lyric programs including Student Dress Rehearsals , Opera Insights panel discussions, and Opera in the Neighborhoods performances. Opera Pathfinders Collective participants draw upon these experiences to create a final multi media presentation focused on the ways in which Lyric can grow in exemplifying high levels of accessibility for young audiences. Through these endeavors, Opera Pathfinders strives to create lasting change in both the lives of participants and the broader artistic community. Regardless of which of the three tracks the students choose, Opera Pathfinders highlights the importance of career readiness and equips participants with the skills and resources to push the boundaries of their creativity, take their artistic practices seriously, and share their stories as they step into their roles as the next generation of opera professionals. “Ultimately,” Keyton says, “we hope students will walk away with a greater understanding of what their career path should be — and of who they are.” Students in the program engage with and learn from company leadership — like Jennifer E. Boyd,Vice President, People & Culture (at left) and Vincente Milianti, Chief Financial & Operating Officer (at right) — on the wide variety of careers available in the arts. Freddie Collier Freddie Collier