Seattle Opera Facts

Status:

Not-for-profit

Date founded:

1963

Chairman of the Board:

John F. Nesholm

President of the Board:

Steven C. Phelps

General Director:

Speight Jenkins

Executive Director:

Kelly Tweeddale

Programs and Services:

Production of mainstage operas
English captions (for all performances)
Opera education and outreach
Young Artists Program
Set and costume building
Set and costume rental

Full-Time Regular Staff:

70, approximately

Part-Time Employees:

700, approximately
(includes musicians, crews, and administrative staff)

Chorus:

Seattle Opera Chorus

Orchestra:

Composed of members of the Seattle Symphony and Opera Players’ Organization

Unions:

American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO
I.A.T.S.E., Local #15
(stage crew and scenic carpenters)
I.A.T.S.E., Local #488
(hair/makeup artists and scenic artists)
T.W.U., Local #887
(costume technicians and wardrobe crew)
Seattle Symphony and Opera Players’ Organization

Board of Trustees:

64 members

Advisory Board:

23 members

Seattle Opera Foundation Board:

9 members

BRAVO! Club:

492 members (for operagoers in their 20s and 30s)

Wagner and More (WAM):

120 members

2007/08 Season:

41 mainstage performances

Scenic Studios:

Renton, WA

Costume Shop:

John Street building

Warehouse:

Kent, WA

View a printable .pdf of Seattle Opera's 2006-2007 Company Report here.