ABOUT FORT WORTH OPERA
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Fort Worth Opera is the oldest opera company in Texas, and one of the oldest opera companies in the United States. The organization has received national attention from critics and audiences alike for its artistic excellence, pioneering spirit, and steadfast willingness to take risks.
OUR STORY
Celebrating its 80th season, the company has not only performed hundreds of operas in Fort Worth featuring some of opera’s greatest stars; it is also known throughout the operatic world as a champion of new and rarely performed works. Fort Worth Opera has taken a leadership role in engaging audiences beyond the operatic stage, while producing cutting-edge, contemporary works.
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With an annual budget of $2.4 million, Fort Worth Opera also boasts a highly successful opera education program, consisting of The Lesley Resident Artist program and the Children’s Opera Theatre, which brings opera to nearly 41,000 school children each year across the state of Texas. The company’s outreach efforts bring an operatic experience to people of every age, ethnic, and social group.
Mission
The mission of Fort Worth Opera is to enrich people's lives with performances and programs that educate, entertain, inspire, and expand the horizons of current and future audiences.
Values
Fort Worth Opera is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of equality; to embracing diversity, giving voice to qualified people of all genders, races, and orientations, on and off the stage; and to transmitting to people of all ages the highest possible standards of fundamental human decency and a civil society.
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Purpose
Fort Worth Opera is committed to producing opera of the highest possible artistic quality and integrity; to identifying and training talented young American singers; to serving as a crucible for creating new American operas; to joining forces with other arts organizations in significant collaborations; and to stimulating curiosity and creativity in people of all ages through its Education Program.
Vision
Our vision is to bring the communities of Fort Worth and North Texas closer together through inclusive musical experience, to cultivate young singers into the next generation of opera stars, and to be a world-renowned venue for new and innovative operatic works. We seek to bring the world of opera to Fort Worth and represent Fort Worth to the opera world.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
KATHERINE POLENZ
CHAIR
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HAYNE SHUMATE
VICE CHAIR
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ASHLEY LACAMP MOORE
TREASURER
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NICOLETTE DUVALL
SECRETARY
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SKYLAR BROGDON O’NEAL
GOVERNANCE
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JILL FISCHER
CHAIR EMERITA
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Allie Beth Allman, Keon Anderson, DDS, Jen Appleman, Nelson E. Claytor, Ph.D, Robert Estrada, Robert L. Jameson, Teresa Carter King, Joseph D. Lesley, Guy V. Manning, Mike R. Martinez, Mary B. Pencis, Ebony Rose, Randy Sabbagh