CREATIVE TEAM
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Shane Valenzi
Shane Valenzi has served as the Artistic Director of The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company since 2014. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Shane's directing credits include the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, Prime Stage Theatre Company (Pittsburgh), the Pittsburgh Savoyards, Stage 62 (Pittsburgh), and the Penn Singers Light Opera Company (Philadelphia), where he served as Associate Artistic Director under the late Bruce Montgomery. Also an accomplished bass-baritone, Shane has sung with the Nashville Opera, Independent Musical Productions (Huntsville, AL, 2x Huntsville Wings Awards Nominee), the Cathedral of the Incarnation (Nashville), and St. Paul's Cathedral (Pittsburgh), where he spent 5 years as a cantor. Shane resides in his hometown of Pittsburgh with his wife Eleanor, their two children (Mabel and Edith), and their Welsh Corgi, Rosie.
THE SORCERER, 2026, DIRECTOR
Ross Matsuda
Ross Matsuda's directorial work explores the theatrical possibilities of opera, operetta, and classical vocal music. His credits include the world premieres of The Day the Dogs Began to Talk, I Will Fly Like a Bird, and Pale Courage; the North American premiere of Redención; and productions with Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago City Opera, Thompson Street Opera Company, and Fourth Coast Ensemble. He has also spent three seasons as associate director with the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, bringing a particular affinity for musical storytelling, ensemble comedy, and finding contemporary life in historic repertoire. His theatre work has included the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and Pegasus Theatre Chicago, and he previously co-founded and served as managing director of The State Theatre of Chicago.
Daniel King is a Chicago-based director and self-described mischief maker. A 2025 Jeff Award nominee for his direction of The Drowning Girls, he is a company member and resident director with Three Crows Theatre and serves on the Artistic Advisory Board of Bump in the Night Theatre. Selected directing credits include Dial M for Murder (Oil Lamp Theater), The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Three Crows), Gross Indecency (IU), Fun Home (IU), and the world premiere of 1970s College Sex Comedy (IU). Daniel holds an MFA in Directing from IU-Bloomington and a BFA in Acting from The Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. His work combines bold theatricality with a keen compositional instinct. He is particularly interested in music and operetta, and in approaching historically significant works with an eye toward what makes them resonate with contemporary audiences. His perspective is also informed by a commitment to Queer storytelling, sustainability, and the dignity and well-being of artists.
Daniel King
IOLANTHE, 2027, DIRECTOR
COMPANY MEMBERS
Our frequent collaborators and artists whom we regard as integral to the past, present, and future success of the Company
SOPRANO
Anna Caldwell
Alexandra Kassouf
Katherine Petersen
Isabel Schmitz
Mikaela Sullivan
MEZZO
Katya Bakas
Beck Buechel
Molly Clementz
Katherine Dalin
Sara Stern
SarahAnn Sutter
Mary Nora Wolf
TENOR
Peter Dannug
Claire DiVizio
Aaron Hunt
Benjamin Recchie
Noah Friedlander
BASS
Anthony Augustine
Lifan Deng
Trip Driscoll
Steve Hobe
Jeffrey Luksik
Dorian McCall
Matt Peckham
TECHNICAL/PRODUCTION
Emily Krasinski
Mark Bilyeu
Rachel Sypniewski
Ross Matsuda
Shelby Krarup
Victoria Granacki
Garth Moritz
EMERITUS
Mark Johnson
Roger Huff
Nancy Levner
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Shelby Krarup
Production & Stage Manager
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Molly Clementz
Marketing Strategist
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Isabel Schmitz
Company Manager
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Sara Stern
Board President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Max Bever
Eileen Flynn
Noah Friedlander
Victoria Granacki
Mark A. Johnson, chair
Nancy Levner, vice president
John Plampin
Benjamin Recchie
James Ryan, secretary
Barbara Schubert
Linda Diamond Shapiro, treasurer
Sara Stern, president
SUSTAINING LIFE MEMBERS
Trip Driscoll
Roger Huff
Susan Hull
Aaron Hunt
Joyce Swedlund
Martha Swisher
UPCOMING SHOW
The Gondoliers
The Gondoliers is setting sail this March at the legendary Mandel Hall on the University of Chicago campus. A spirited romp of acerbic wit, glorious melodies, and infectious joy, the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company is thrilled to return to this sun-soaked tale of mistaken identity, egalitarian ideals, and romantic entanglements—one of the most vibrant and dance-filled gems in the G&S canon.
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