Biography
Director/Choreographer
Acclaimed as a director “with a flawless sense of timing” (Opera News), Candace Evans is known for the clarity of her story-telling, through the interplay of music, text, movement and the visual world of sets and costumes.
Trained as an opera singer, having danced with the Wisconsin Ballet Company, and with a Master of Fine Arts in classical theatre, Ms. Evans understands the combination of disciplines so essential to artistic success. Known for her collaborative spirit, she has worked as a theatre artist for over twenty-five years, directing and choreographing over eighty operas, musicals, plays, and ballets. Among her specific directorial interests is the integration of voice, mind and body, assisting performers in finding a synchronicity of musical demand, acting truth and physical freedom.
Recent directorial credits include Don Pasquale for the inaugural season of the Dallas Opera’s Winspear Opera House, as well their The Merry Widow, named as number 3 among the Top Ten classical music events of the 2008 season. Similarly acclaimed in the top ten, was her Carmen for Madison Opera. Other career highlights include Albert Herring, Die Fledermaus, Salome, La Rondine, and Ariadne auf Naxos.
Relocating to Dallas from New York City, Candace taught for the theatre/music departments at Southern Methodist University from 1994-2000. She has lectured nationally, including workshops for the National Opera Association and the Taos Opera Institute, as well as serving as the acting/movement instructor for the Dallas Opera’s Young Artist’s program. An essential component of her teaching is work in the use of neutral and character masks to encourage the development of physical connection for opera singers.
Ms. Evans was recently named the Associate Artistic director for the Door County Opera Festival.
Candace Evans directing "Don Pasquale" for The Dallas Opera at the Winspear Opera House