Our Mission
To produce professional opera and musical productions of the highest artistic quality and to provide educational programming and outreach to students and adults in the Ark-La-Tex region.
Our History
Shreveport Opera is one of the oldest opera companies in the country and has been privileged to host some of the world’s greatest performers including Beverly Sills, Franco Corelli, Leontyne Price and Sherrill Milnes. It has also enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to help launch the careers of internationally acclaimed stars such as Renee Fleming and Greer Grimsley.
Over the years, there have been many creative leaders of the company, notably Mr. Robert Murray, who held the reigns for 17 years, producing prominent productions while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Nearly all of the traditional operatic repertoire has been presented since its founding in July 1949.
What We Do
About Us
Annually, Shreveport Opera produces three professional mainstage productions as well as hosts numerous special events including The Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year Competition. Shreveport Opera also tours the Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) education and outreach program, reaching approximately 30,000 students and adults with the performances and their social messages. It is the only opera education and outreach program of its kind in the state!
The strengths of Shreveport Opera are its long and rich history, a dedicated and supportive Board of Directors, the Shreveport-Bossier Opera Guild, our patrons, a strong financial position, and a talented and hardworking staff who are dedicated to bringing the highest artistic quality productions to the Shreveport-Bossier community and region.
Shreveport Opera will only thrive in the future with the continued financial support of the individuals, foundations and corporations in our community. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID# 72-6021455), Shreveport Opera is operating in the black in a fiscally responsible way. We are growing our future audience by exposing students to opera via the SOX program, and we simply ask everyone to give opera a chance. You may surprise yourself!
For more information on how you can support Shreveport Opera, please contact us at (318) 227-9503 or boxoffice@shreveportopera.org.
Administrative Team
ALAN E. HICKS
is the incoming General & Artistic Director for Shreveport Opera. Alan is a celebrated opera director whose award-winning productions have been hailed as “powerful,” “brilliant,” and “real magic.” After early success as a professional singer and teaching roles at the Actors Studio Drama School and American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Alan shifted to stage direction, gaining recognition for his emotionally rich and visually striking work. He has worked across the U.S. and Europe for companies such as Minnesota Opera, Palm Beach Opera, San Diego Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Opernfest Berlin, Music Academy International, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Central City Opera, and New York City Opera. From 2013-2015, Alan served as Director of the Emerging Artist Program at Green Mountain Opera Festival. Over the course of his career, Alan has collaborated with many venerable artists including Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Michelle Bradley, Kate Lindsey, Brian Jadge, Frederica von Stade, Silvia McNair, Erin Morley, Carl Tanner, Greer Grimsley, Susan Stroman, and Thomas Hampson to name only a few.
Phone
318.227.9503
STEVE AIKEN
is the outgoing General & Artistic Director for Shreveport Opera. Steve and his wife, Janice will be retiring from Shreveport Opera in mid-September of 2025. From here they, along with their dog, Corky, will be heading to the twin-cities area of Minnesota. He is the former General Director for Opera Memphis and General Director for Advancement for Nashville Opera. Steve is honored to have served as the General & Artistic Director with Shreveport Opera since 2008.
Phone
318.227.9503
CATHEY SHOLAR
is the retiring Director of Patron Services for Shreveport Opera. She is a long-time member of the Shreveport area. She is active in her church, her community and, certainly, Shreveport Opera. She and her husband Steve are proud parents of two adult children, Ashley and Jeffrey. Cathey has long been associated with the arts, working for both Shreveport Opera and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. She is a former teacher with the Caddo Parish School District and an indispensable part of the Shreveport Opera Team!
Phone
318.227.9503
LARA YERGER
is the incoming Director of Patron Services for Shreveport Opera. Lara grew up in South Carolina and has called Shreveport home for the past 30 years. She and her husband, Havard, are the proud parents of three children: Madison, Stafford, and Tripp. An active member of the community, Lara currently serves on the boards of The Cotillion Club and the Shreveport Opera Guild, and is also a member of the Shreveport Garden Study Club. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from North Carolina State University and an Executive MBA from Centenary College. In her free time, Lara enjoys needlepointing, gardening, and spending time with friends.
Phone
318.227.9503
ZOIE SWINT
is the new Development, Marketing, and Artistic Associate at Shreveport Opera. She received a bachelor’s in Communications, with a concentration in Journalism, Broadcasting, and Digital Media from Northwestern State University, as well as a certificate in television production from Bossier Parish Community College, and has years of experience creating multimedia educational, professional, and marketing resources. Zoie has retained a deep-rooted love for the performing arts from a young age, having participated in a variety of academic and community music and theater programs – both on-stage and behind-the-scenes-, and she is excited to help the Shreveport Opera bring high-quality musical productions to the Ark-LA-Tex for years to come.
Phone
318.227.9503
Shreveport Opera
Board of Directors 2025-26
Marcia Moffatt | President
Mark Owen | Executive Vice President
Carol Reyenga | Secretary
Tom Simms III | Treasurer
Sandra Harrold | Past-President
Elizabeth Glassell | Guild President
La Wanda Blakeney
Bobbie Brasher
Luretta Bybee
Mikey Carlisle
Marletta Eddy
Holly French-Hart
Elizabeth Glassell
Jodie Glorioso
William Lacefield
Alfred Lacy
Michael McCarthy
Mark McCrocklin
Mark Owen
Sybil Patten
Rev. Rothell Price
Toby Quarles
Jan Querbes
JoAnna Robinson
Robert Robinson, DrPh
Lois Rowe
Marshall Shaw
Libby Siskron
Mary Ann Valiulis
Judith Werner
to our
Corporate Sponsors
This list reflects all donors during for our 2024 season.
To help support us, please call 318-227-9503.
to our
Opera Club Members
This list reflects all donors during our 76th season, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Unrestricted donations, artist sponsorships and gifts in support of the SOX program of $1,000+ cumulative qualify donors for membership in Opera Club. To join the Opera Club, please call 318-227-9503.
Eileen & Mike Adkins
American Online Giving Foundation
The J.B. Atkins Foundation
Dr. Dale Bauman & Paula Leonard
Dr. Jack & Anita Berg
Drs. La Wanda & Ernest Blakeney
Will N. Blanchard
Joseph A. Bocchini Jr., MD
Barbara “Bobbie” Watkins Brasher
Caddo Parish Schools
Caddo Parish Commission
City of Shreveport
The Community Foundation of North Louisiana
Community Foundation of North Louisiana
– Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Fund
Community Network, Inc.
Laura & Ed Crawford
The Crow Foundation
First Presbyterian Church Shreveport – D. Thomason Grant
Ruth Doreck Credit Shelter Trust
Marletta Eddy
Evolve Foundation
Ginger & Glenn Flournoy
Sanders Fowler
The Alta & John Franks Foundation
Josephine K. “Jodie” Glorioso
Scott H. Green & Robert D. Smith
Dayne & Kathy Hassell
Peggy & Mark Heacock
Louise Jackson
Carole & Bill Lacefield
Alfred Lacy
Dr. & Mrs. Robert T. Lafargue
Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by SRAC. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts.