"Ms. Manich's staging was imaginative, freely mingling modern and antiquarian touches in the sets and costumes." New York Times

Crystal Manich has nineteen years of professional experience as an Emmy Award nominated multilingual Latiné film, music video, stage, and circus director. She is also a commissioned writer and adjunct professor. Former Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil. She holds undergrad and graduate degrees in directing and Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Business and Management of Entertainment certificate from UCLA Extension. Click on the links below for more details.

WRITING

Manich is a commissioned librettist for two new works. Time to Act, composed by Laura Kaminsky, will have its debut at Pittsburgh Opera in 2026. Read more HERE.

Triângulo is the world’s first Mixed Martial Arts opera and is currently in development. Written by Crystal Manich and comopsed by Martin Bejerano. Florida Grand Opera recently hosted a preview. Read the Broadway World article HERE and visit our website HERE.

STAGE

Manich has directed over 85 stage productions in various languages and styles in the USA, Europe, Australia, Argentina in opera, musicals, and plays. She excels in teams for established repertoire and world-premiere works. READ MORE

FILM

Manich directed a $1M feature film world premiere opera The Copper Queen for Arizona Opera, and is the director of several music videos in addition to the Emmy Award-nominated live multi-cam livestream production La Hija de Rappaccini for Chicago Opera Theater at the Field Museum. She has several screenplays in development. READ MORE

CIRCUS

Manich was the writer-director for the opening event of the first-ever art biennale in Luxembourg in 2024. Her work at Cirque du Soleil as Artistic Director consisted of overall show quality, management of over 50 artists and supporting employees, and casting and staging show replacements. READ MORE

POSITIONS HELD, TEACHING, EDUCATION

ACTING, GRANTS, RESIDENCIES

"All this busyness successfully carries singers and audience through the more static elements of Anacréon in particular and also adds to the intimacy of opera that's now virtually lost in the present day penchant for grandeur."

Diana Simmonds, Stage Noise, Australia