Life at Lyric Opera

Greetings from Lyric!

It has been a little over 6 months since I got my position here as the Admin. Assistant for the Technical Department.

This job really has been a huge blessing for me! It was exactly what I had been praying for. I wanted a job where I could use my backstage knowledge from Writers' Theatre and my admin. knowledge from the Chicago Symphony.

How I got the job was quite amazing! While working backstage at Writers' I was put into one of the plays as a bartender. As it turns out, my old boss (from Lyrics Rehearsal Department) Marina, was in the house for a performance and recognized me. This lead to a reunion lunch, and me discussing my goals for the future. She was the one who let me know of the open position at the Lyric and passed along my resume. A few weeks later I was given a job interview, and offered the position! Marina was the angel who made it all happen!

So now, here I am! In my very own office!

This is the view as you enter my door.
I have created a Wall of Fame (or Shame, as some have called it.) They are some candid photos behind the scenes. Apparently no one has ever posted photos like this before, and it is a great hit. In my opinion, it's good for moral, and when you work so hard (for such little money) it's nice to have some moral boosters. :)

This is a photo of my desk and decorations. I've been told my office is homey. It should be! I'm here more than I am at home!

I have a whole wall to display photos and art. Lots of pictures of Canon and Nikon.

(I don't have kids, I have dogs. )

When I leave my office this is my view. It's the kitchen/copy area. I'm required to fix any minor copier issues. Ofton from my desk I'll here, "Shannon, HELP!"


The offices are directly connected to the opera house, separated only by a door.

It is the lit door way in the photo. You have to have a security badge in order to open it.
All very official. :)

Here is a photo of the house from the lower balcony.

The orchestra is warming up for a rehearsal.

Here's a view of the rehearsal from the main floor.

They are rehearsing Cavalaria Rusticana, which will open Saturday, February 14.


This is a photo of a break in rehearsal. I'm sitting at the Tech tables. You can see the lighting designer working on his computer.

This is a photo of back backstage. It is where they store the set pieces of the other productions being done at the same time. The pink tower and building are from Wagners' Tristan und Isolde which is performing at the same time.



A big part of my job is to take the set and costume archival photos. It is one of my favorite parts of my job! Below is an example of a production photo that I have taken this season. This is a scene from Pearl Fishers.

This is a pic of me taken by an Assistant Stage Manager while I was photographing the Madame Butterfly costumes.

No matter what, when a camera is out, people will be silly. That was the whole reason I started my wall of fame. I was always catching people doing funny things. For example, here is a photo of famous opera star Patricia Racette posing for me in her costume. Usually people just stand there, but she wanted to give me something a little different.

She did eventually give me a "normal" pose for my paperwork.


I also catch great moments like this one, our star tenor, Frank Lopardo, almost lost a button!

We can't have that!!! Here is John, his dresser, saving the day!



Unfortunatly, I don't have pics of all the departments that I work with, such as, wigs and wardrobe, and the rehearsal department. It's such a large company, and a truly wonderful place to work!