Lyric Opera 2022-2023 Issue 11 - West Side Story

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 64 WHAT IS YOUR ROLE HERE AT LYRIC,AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU HELD THIS POSITION? In June 2022, I joined Lyric as the Senior Director, Learning Programs under the umbrella of Lyric Unlimited. The focus of my work is educational engagement through programs for students, educators, and members of our Chicago community. WHAT LED YOU TO WORK AT LYRIC? My career in arts and culture starts with my New Orleans roots; I’ve spent the most formative years of my professional life here in Chicago. Shortly after moving to Chicago, I accepted a position with one of the city’s largest arts education organizations, where I designed and implemented programs in educational and community-based settings throughout the city and beyond, built relationships with colleagues across the country, and worked to advance racial equity in the arts. In 2022, after a bit of self-re ection, I realized it was time to carve a new path. I’m the daughter of parents who experienced segregation, and my mother and father often walked me through doors that were once closed to them. This meant weekends lled with visits to museums, theaters, myriad music venues, and so on. It remains important to me that all people, and especially people of color from the very young to the most seasoned among us, not only access artistic spaces, but lead them and see themselves re ected in them at every participatory level. Although I never anticipated working at an opera house, Lyric’s vision and values aligned perfectly with what I was seeking in my next position. With a demonstrated commitment to artistic excellence and inclusivity, and the challenge of rede ning what it means to experience opera in a changing world, what better place to begin a new chapter? WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? One of the most rewarding aspects of working in the arts is how dynamic things are moment-to-moment. Rarely is one day ever the same as another. For the Learning Programs team of Lyric Unlimited, the success of our programming relies on thoughtful planning and relationship-building with our colleagues, educators, and teaching artists. Being in community with one another through meaningful exchange—listening, learning, and mapping our work together, builds the foundation for innovative programming and strong partnerships. WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB? I would say I am experiencing growing pains, rather than challenges. Transitioning from a mid-size arts education organization to a large institution like Lyric Opera is akin to traversing a wonderland of sorts. Nearly every day, I am discovering a new cadre of colleagues who are essential to making the magic happen. Also, opera has its own language, and that language is very new to me. I studied art history in Italy, but had I known then that one day I would be working at Lyric, I would have at least taken one course in the history of opera! TELL US ABOUT LYRIC UNLIMITED AND HOW YOU ENGAGE WITH THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY. In framing how Lyric Unlimited creates space for exploring opera, Lyric’s President, General Director & CEO Anthony Freud often speaks of the “creative crucible.” This is quite powerful—liberating even. Frommy perspective, Lyric Unlimited ampli es the elasticity of the form, whether teaching the form itself or using the form to teach and engage. From elementary school students learning to create an opera based on a storybook, to high school students attending their rst performance and nding a space of belonging, to people on divergent paths discovering their shared humanity through the power of storytelling and music, these are some of the ways in which Lyric Unlimited engages our Chicago community. And by doing so, Lyric Unlimited has the capacity to change perceptions, remove barriers to participation, and engage broader audiences. BEYOND OPERA,WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER PASSIONS? I have a penchant for the handwritten letter with an insatiable appetite for ne stationery. While I appreciate the convenience of a quick text message, there’s nothing like putting pen to paper crafting a beautiful missive to someone. A FAVORITE LYRIC MOMENT? For the dress rehearsal of Hansel and Gretel this season, I was in charge of welcoming student groups. While waiting in the balcony and scoping out the seats, I had the opportunity to meet two of the phenomenal ushers there, Carl and David, both of whom have been with the company for years. Both had incredible histories, with Carl formerly working as a dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, and David previously working as an opera singer and as a chorus member with Lyric. They had the most incredible stories about our space, of the experience of their own creative lives. David spoke about hearing soprano Leontyne Price for the rst time, and the conversation moved him to tears. Moments like this serve as reminders that we are all just a multitude of stories. Something changes inside when we listen to the stories of another, wherever we nd ourselves. From the balcony at Lyric, you will hear the best of the best. People of Lyric Jill LeCesne Potter Senior Director, Learning Programs Kyle Flubacker