When OPERA America surveyed recent opera seasons, it found that women comprised fewer than 30 percent of the directors and fewer than 15 percent of the conductors working on American opera productions. A new OA program — Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors — seeks to redress this underrepresentation by giving opera companies incentives to hire women for these key roles. With funding from the Marineau Family Foundation, the grant program provides Professional Company Members with up to $10,000 to hire a woman stage director or conductor for a first-time engagement, subsidizing as much as 50 percent of her fee.

OA recently awarded the inaugural round of Women Stage Director and Conductor Grants, providing $36,650 to nine opera companies. These grants will support the hiring of women to lead four new productions of established repertoire, a new production of 20th-century repertoire, two 21st-century works, a double bill of 21stand 20th-century works, and an eight-film adaptation of songs featuring BIPOC composers and artists.

Applications for the next round of Women Stage Director and Conductor Grants are currently open, and the deadline to apply is September 30, 2021.