Susan Stone is a Texas-based opera professional with a background in opera and musical theatre. Stone’s diverse experience in backstage and artistic leadership makes her a unique creative. With Stone’s ability to administrate, she has led opera outreach seasons for Wolf Trap Opera, and was Director of Opera, for Baylor Opera Theater at Baylor University in Waco, TX. In her creative endeavors, Stone’s artistic leadership shines brightest in her ability to stage beyond the proscenium. In previous seasons, Stone has directed fully produced operas in converted churches, warehouses, and night clubs. In February of 2019, Opera Southwest engaged Stone to direct Rossini’s, La cambiale de Matrimonio. With full orchestra at the center of the night club’s dance floor, Stone created an interactive operatic experience. This technical difficulty in her production’s opening night was picked up by Slipped Disc, and regarded as a, “must see.”
In the 2014/15 season she made her debut with Houston’s Opera in the Heights directing a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, as well as her debut with The Atlanta Opera directing the spring studio tour of The Marriage of Figaro. After serving as assistant director to John Caird for a new production of La bohème at the Houston Grand Opera in 2012, Stone made her HGO directorial debut remounting the production in 2013 at the Miller Outdoor Theater and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion. She has previously served as assistant director at HGO for Cosi fan tutti in 2015, Mary Stuart in 2012 and Fidelio in 2011.
In addition to opera, Stone has worked in musical theater and cabaret assisting on touring productions of Cats, Camelot, Chicago, and Annie, working with such performers as Andrea Marcovicci, Karen Mason, and Robert Goulet. In the summer months she enjoys working at Aspen Opera Theater Center and Wolf Trap Opera.