Passionate about creating provocative and unique productions that are accessible to audiences of all kinds, Lauren Lenz works as an opera director based in Detroit, MI.
Her background has led to an appreciation for contemporary opera and modern reconstructions of classic works.
As part of working toward an inclusive process, Lenz is also a trained intimacy choreographer and approaches directing as a collaborative, consent-based practice.
Lenz has worked with Opera Orlando, Opera Carolina, Opéra Louisiane, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Toledo Opera, Opera NexGen, Opera Omaha, and Opera in Williamsburg, among others.
University work includes Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, and Oakland University.
“[Lenz’s] scenes stood out, as much for the singing as the ingenuity of the concept, starting with the Love Duet from Gounod’s Faust with Lindsey Chinn and [Myles] Pinder, which harkened back to the silent-movie days of Hollywood. Donizetti’s Anna Bolena was updated into The Tudor Wive’s Tale: a regal Maureen Brabec knocked back whiskey while her rival, Taylor-Alexis Dupont as Giovanna Seymour, cowered in the white coif and red dress of a Handmaid from Margaret Atwood’s novel.”
- Rick Perdian, Seen and Heard International