Fort Worth Opera has announced that Kurt Howard will rejoin the organization as Production Manager and Stage Manager.

He previously worked with the company in a dual position between 2004-2014. Since then, he has been Producing Director at Opera Omaha and Manager Director and Director of Programs Services at OPERA America.

“We are thrilled that Kurt has chosen to return,” said Fort Worth Opera General & Artistic Director Angela Turner Wilson in an official press statement. “He was a crucial part of the team during a previous period of intense development, and he’s coming back to us with even more experience and wisdom, and a vast network of industry connections.”

“We pioneered this combination role back when I started at Fort Worth Opera in 2004,” added Howard. “The idea is that the person who’s making financial decisions about the physical production should also be in the rehearsal room where those decisions impact artistic needs. It streamlines the process, and bakes in support for the artists when you don’t have to go through multiple channels to get stuff done.”

Howard also previously worked as a freelance stage manager for companies such as Los Angeles Opera, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Detroit Opera, and Long Beach Opera, among others.