Bill Theisen Named Skylight Opera Theatre's Artistic Director

Skylight Opera Theatre's Managing Director, Amy Jensen is pleased to announce that Bill Theisen has agreed to serve as Skylight's Artistic Director through the 2012-13 season.
 
Theisen has had a long history of performing and directing at Skylight and has been the Artistic Director since 2004. The 2012-13 season will mark his ninth season as Artistic Director.
 
Over the past year, the work of the Strategic Planning committee resulted in the board reaffirming its commitment to a full-time Artistic Director position. Committee Chair, Laura Emory, stated, "The Artistic Director at Skylight guides the artistic vision of the organization and promotes the collaboration needed for our innovative, world-class productions. A full-time Artistic Director allows Skylight to provide the unique variety and quality of performances that our audiences enjoy."
 
Board President, John Stollenwerk followed by saying, "Bill is a terrific asset to Skylight. He is a top quality Artistic Director as well as a great "face" of Skylight! The Board and I are pleased that he has agreed to continue through the 2012-13 season."
 
"Bill understands the importance of the delicate balance between artistic vision and financial realities. In addition, he has extremely high standards for not only the artistic product but also the organization as a whole. As hard working as he is, he always maintains a sense of fun and whimsy that is so much a part of the Skylight personality. I'm delighted that we have arrived at this decision," said Amy Jensen.
 
Bill Theisen affirmed, "I am thrilled that the Skylight will return to having a full time artistic director- it's the way this company best functions and I know from experience it is mandatory for the continued artistic excellence as well as artistic growth for the long term. When I leave the Skylight in June of 2013, I will have completed my ninth year as artistic director and feel that the timing will be right for me to embark on the next chapter in my life. It is also the perfect time for new leadership at the Skylight, to hopefully pick up where I have left off and take the company to new heights."
 
In demand as both an actor and a director, Bill's upcoming projects include direction of Florentine Opera's production of Italian Girl in Algiers, Elixir of Love at the University of Iowa and HMS Pinafore at Opera Carolina. This season at Skylight, Bill has directed Dames at Sea, HMS Pinafore and Gershwin and Friends which is currently playing to sold out audiences.