Benjamin Wayne Smith
Director of Opera
Associate Professor of Opera
M.F.A., Opera Stage Directing, M.M., Vocal Performance, B.M. Vocal Performance, University of Cincinnati/CCM
Benjamin Wayne Smith has led ten new opera productions since 1999 ranging from Mozart's Così fan tutte to Conrad Susa's modern treatment of The Dangerous Liaisons.
Upcoming projects include productions of Trouble in Tahiti and Pagliacci with Tacoma Opera and Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Intermountain Opera Association.
In April of 2010, Ben finished his tenure as the Resident Assistant Director at Seattle Opera where he worked on eleven productions. He has also worked as an Assistant Director for Washington National Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Pittsburgh Opera and the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh.
Ben also serves as the stage director for the studio program on the faculty of CCM Spoleto in Spoleto, Italy. Increasingly in demand as a clinician, he continues to give masterclasses on acting technique around the country.
Ben began his career in opera as a singer, performing twenty-one leading roles in opera, operetta and musical theater. He has logged over 250 performances in the U.S. and Italy.
Website: www.benjaminwaynesmith.com
Email: bsmith@bw.edu
Office Phone: 440.826.2405