Timothy O’Leary has been General Director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis since October 2008. Prior to his appointment, he served as Opera Theatre’s Executive Director, working together with outgoing General Director Charles MacKay who recruited him for the position. Previously, Mr. O’Leary served on the senior management team of New York City Opera where, as Director of Operations and Planning, his responsibilities ranged from labor relations to production budgets to audience development programs.
Mr. O’Leary has also served as Managing Director of New York’s downtown Gotham Chamber Opera, where he produced American premieres by Handel and Sutermeister and collaborated with the Lincoln Center Festival and the Spoleto Festival USA. His fundraising experience includes a tenure as Manager of Institutional Gifts for New York City Opera, as well as consulting assignments for Broadway’s Roundabout Theatre Company, the Alliance for the Arts, and Theatre for a New Audience.
In addition to his administrative experience, Mr. O’Leary has also worked as a stage director and assistant stage director for companies including New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Opera Colorado, and others. His training includes an apprenticeship with San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program, graduate studies at Columbia University in Theatre Management, and an undergraduate degree in English and Drama from Dartmouth College.
During Mr. O’Leary’s tenure as General Director, Opera Theatre has maintained its record for balanced budgets and artistic distinction, despite the economic downturn, with increases in ticket sales and contributions. Under his leadership, Opera Theatre was also selected as the arts organization of the year for the 2010 Missouri Arts Award. Mr. O’Leary serves on the board of directors for OPERA America, the national service organization to the field, and is a frequent judge of vocal competitions as well as a lecturer on the subject of opera and contemporary culture.
