Crystal Manich is a young director who strives to make opera a viable theatrical experience for a new audience. She holds a BFA in Drama-Directing from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama with a double major in European Studies and a Masters in Arts Management from CMU's Heinz College for Public Policy and Management. Crystal started her professional career as an assistant director in her hometown of Pittsburgh, where she was raised by Puerto Rican parents.
Crystal is co-Artistic Director of Opera Omnia in New York, a company that produces 17th and 18th century opera in intimate and casual bars in Manhattan. She put her lifelong knowledge of Spanish to the test when making her international directing debut last year with Madama Butterfly for Buenos Aires Lírica in Argentina. She has also directed for Pittsburgh Opera, Lyric Opera Baltimore and Utah Opera.
Engagments for the 2012-2013 season include productions at the Bay View Festival, Opera Roanoke and Pittsburgh Opera.
She enjoys Hitchcock's films, fine food and nineteenth century French literature.
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