Leigh Holman is a faculty administrator and teacher whose research is concentrated in the areas of musical/theatrical stage production, stage direction, and the development of new American opera works. She is the Artistic Director and Founder of the CU New Opera Workshop (CU NOW), a nationally recognized program dedicated to the development and premiere of new American operas. CU NOW has been featured in *Opera News* magazine and was the subject of a plenary session presentation at the National Opera Association Conference in 2024, co-presented with renowned composer Jake Heggie. The workshop brings together emerging composers, librettists, and performers, providing them with invaluable experience in the creation of new works under the guidance of leading artists who have served as Resident Artists. CU NOW significantly contributes to the advancement of contemporary American opera. In addition to her work with CU NOW, Holman is an active stage director, having directed numerous full productions of operas and musicals. Her specialized work is comprised of historical, literary, and musical research, creation of original staging for operatic productions, character development, acting techniques, movement, and visual aspects of opera and musical theatre productions. She is currently conducting research for a book-length publication entitled *The Golden Age of Opera in the 21st Century*, which explores the current state of opera and includes interviews with major opera figures. Beyond her expertise in opera, Holman is also a professional jazz vocalist specializing in standards, performing regularly at a variety of local venues. In her additional position as a faculty administrator, her other areas of research for personal and professional growth include effective leadership, intimacy direction, arts administration, motivating students, opera marketing, opera budgeting, building audiences, harnessing the creative process, and the use of technology in theater.
keywords
theatrical directing, developing new works with nationally renowned composers and librettists, collaborating with prof scenic, lighting and costume designers, acting, teaching operatic acting methods, opera, vocal music, new american operatic music productions, stage direction teaching methods, dramaturgy, American musical theater, opera and musical theater outreach programs, history and literature as is related to opera and theater, score study, dramatic and musical coaching
Teaching
courses taught
PMUS 4137 - Opera Theatre 1
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Addresses issues related to young artist development. Areas of concentration include (but are not limited to) acting technique, resume preparation, audition technique, scene analysis, and role preparation. The acting technique is addressed in this course through textbook reading and exercise. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
PMUS 4147 - Opera Theatre 2
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Continuation of PMUS 4137. Further scene analysis andmovement exercises are addressed in this class. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
PMUS 5137 - Opera Theatre 1
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Addresses issues related to young artist development at the graduate level. Areas of concentration will include (but are not limited to) acting technique for singers, resume preparation and scene and character analysis. Students will participate in acting and improvisation exercises. Substantial classical voice study is required. Recommended prerequisite: Voice Majors only. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
PMUS 5147 - Opera Theatre 2
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Continuation of PMUS 5137. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
