Opera is the ultimate art form. It has singing and music and drama and dance and emotion and story.

At the core of what I'm doing is a belief in the audience, a belief that populism doesn't mean dumbing down theater, but rather giving the audience a voice and a role in experiencing theater.

I had this epiphany that I like the interaction with people. I wanted to make things happen at a grassroots level.

The idea of making audiences feel like they matter, that the theatre matters, and that they're a partner in the event—that's what fuels me as a director . . . I believe it's actually radical to think about the audience.

The musical theater is a glorious and distinctly American innovation in the history of theater.

Theatre and opera were always the twin kingdoms that I felt I had to conquer, because they were my parents' favorites.

Im always interested in working with people who are good team players - that are selfless that way in their interests and dedication to the project.