Biography
Director/Choreographer
Candace Evans is a director and choreographer known for the clarity of her story telling, praised by Opera News for her “flawless sense of timing.” Through the interplay of music, movement and text, she brings stories to life and audiences to their feet.
Ms. Evans was trained as an opera singer, danced with the Wisconsin Ballet Company, and toured the world as a stage actor; this combination gives her the unique ability to understand the disciplines essential to artistic success. She focuses on clear and supportive communication with singers to use the integration of voice, mind and body into a release of true emotional and physical freedom.
With a career of directing and choreographing over eighty operas, musicals, plays, and ballets, Ms. Evans is known for her collaborative spirit. Her staging of The Merry Widow for Dallas Opera was named third among the Top Ten Dallas Classical Music Events. Similarly acclaimed in the Top Ten was her Carmen for Madison Opera. This season Ms. Evans was asked to develop a new production of L’Italiana in Algeri for Opera Southwest, which was reviewed as “riveting and effervescent.” Among her other career favorites are Don Pasquale, which inaugurated Dallas Opera’s Winspear Opera House; Albert Herring, Die Fledermaus, Salome, La Rondine, and Ariadne auf Naxos.
Relocating from New York City, Ms. Evans put her MFA in Classical Theatre to work at Southern Methodist University where she taught for the theatre/music departments from 1994-2000. An essential component of her teaching is the use of neutral and character masks to encourage the development of physical connection for opera singers. She has lectured nationally, including workshops for the National Opera Association, Taos Opera Institute and Fort Worth Opera. In addition to directing, she is presently serving as the acting/movement coach for the Dallas Opera Young Artist program.
Candace Evans directing "Don Pasquale" for The Dallas Opera at the Winspear Opera House