Opera Omaha Welcomes Kurt Howard As New Producing Director
Opera Omaha is thrilled to announce the addition of Kurt Howard as its new Producing Director. Howard is an arts and culture professional specializing in leadership development, operational analysis, and new works creation and partnerships.
Most recently, Kurt Howard served as Managing Director at OPERA America in New York for three years before shifting into the position of Director of Programs Services in 2017. Howard was responsible for professional development programs, annual conference planning and execution, supervision of grant programs (specifically OPERA America's Innovation grants), leadership in EDI and anti-harassment initiatives and the Co-Production Lending Bank. He also serves as adviser for the New York Opera Alliance. He was previously with Fort Worth Opera, where over the span of a 10-year career, he served as both Production Manager and Stage Manager. He led the production team through the transition into a repertory/festival format and was directly responsible for all aspects of production, including the development of new works premiered at Fort Worth Opera. He was the organization’s Producing Director from 2010–2015. His responsibilities included artistic and creative team management, budget development, and management and production oversight. Howard has been associated with OPERA America for several years, chairing the Technical/Production Forum and participating in the Electronic Media and New Works Forums, as well as serving as an adjudication panelist for the Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase and as a member of the Strategy Committee.
Howard comes from a long career as Stage Manager for multiple companies throughout the United States and has served on the production teams for over 40 productions for Los Angeles Opera, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Detroit Opera and Long Beach Opera.
“Kurt is highly respected throughout the opera industry”, states Opera Omaha General Director Roger Weitz, “His leadership experience with opera companies and OPERA America has helped push the field forward both on and off the stage. I’m delighted that he will bring his talents to Omaha.”
About Opera Omaha
Opera Omaha , the only professional opera company in Nebraska, began in 1958 as the Omaha Civic Opera Society, a volunteer association, and with tremendous community support became fully professional by 1970. Opera Omaha produces a season of original mainstage productions, presented at the historic Orpheum Theater, and smaller productions and musical events throughout the community. Opera Omaha is internationally known for its productions of eight world premieres and four American premieres of classical masterpieces and is highly regarded regionally for extensive community engagement and education programs. Opera Omaha ’s recently completed 60th anniversary season saw the launch of the ONE Festival, an innovative new spring festival, and a groundbreaking civic action initiative, the Holland Community Opera Fellowship — work that is key to Opera Omaha ’s ongoing transformation from a performing arts organization to a cultural resource for the community.