NINA WEST (Andrew Levitt) He rose to international prominence on the 11th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Other notable credits include Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead (Ginsey Tonic), Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Divine), “Dragging the Classics: The Brady Bunch” (Alice), and voiceover work for Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues,” “Baby Shark’s Big Show,” “RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race,” the recent “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9,” “Drag Me To Dinner,” Bobby Moynihan’s “Loafy,” Hulu’s “The Bravest Knight”, and documentaries Lady Like and Kings, Queens, and In Betweens. On stage, he starred as Edna Turnbald in the national tour of Broadway’s Hairspray The Musical.

Nina has hosted events around the world. Of note: 74th Annual ACE Eddie Awards, Disney+ Pride Special, events at San Diego Comic-Con, and galas for SAGE and Bring Change to Mind, among others. His charitable foundation, The Nina West Foundation, has raised over $3 million dollars for charities in central Ohio and around the world. His first children’s book, The You Kind of Kind was published in 2022 by PA Press. 2025 saw the publication of a book of essays by drag authors, including Nina, entitled No Tea No Shade: Life As Drag Queen. It is available from Harper Collins at bookstores everywhere. Nina is thrilled to announce that her beloved best-selling children’s book, The You Kind of Kind, will make its world premiere on April 2, 2027, in Columbus, Ohio at the Columbus Children’s Theatre. The production will run through April 23, 2027 at the Riffe Center in downtown Columbus.

Nina has performed with Kermit the Frog and The Muppets. It does not get better than that.

Jessica Leigh, soprano, is a versatile singing actress comfortable in a wide range of repertoire. Recognized for her artistic honesty and effortless vocal production, she is dedicated to creating an experience through music. This intentionality shines through each performance, whether it be Schumann’s tender “Mondnacht,” Violetta’s fiery “Sempre Libera,” or the heartbreaking “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress. Ms. Leigh’s interpretation of the soprano solo in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 was described as “transcendent,” and her rendition of Fantine’s “I Dreamed a Dream” from the hit musical Les Misérables was noted for its “piercing delivery.” She has been part of numerous programs and companies including Opera Columbus, UK Opera Theatre, Opera Maine, Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, Bay View Music Festival, and The Lexington Theatre Company. Performance credits include the title role in Susannah, La Traviata (Violetta), Le nozze di Figaro (Susanna), Die Zauberflöte (Pamina), La Bohème (Mimì), Sondheim on Sondheim, and Songs for a New World.

As a concert artist Jessica has been a guest of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra for Carl Orff’s Carmina burana and Poulenc’s Gloria; the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic for Mozart’s Requiem; and she debuted with the Canton Symphony Orchestra in March 2026 for Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem. Ms. Leigh is also a member of a prestigious touring company, The American Spiritual Ensemble, who recently headlined the international music festival La Folle Journée and performed over ten concerts to sold-out audiences.

Off the stage, Jessica maintains a regular teaching schedule and continues scholarly pursuits in research. As a teacher, she works with children, teens, and adults, focusing on building a strong technique based on efficient use of breath and the body as an instrument.

Research interests include a particular concentration on African American women composers, and on the subjects of sexual violence in music theatre and practices regarding artist care during productions. She is co-author with Dr. Jennifer Campbell on a paper entitled “Staging Susannah on a University Campus in the Post-Covid-19 and #MeToo Era: A Case Study.” The paper was presented in March 2024 at an international musicology conference, “Exploring Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Music Theatre,” at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Upon completion of her thesis entitled “Essence of the Heart: Layered Human Experience in Eva Jessye’s ‘My Spirituals,’” Jessica was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice performance from the University of Kentucky. Writings and scholarship are listed under the authorship of “Jessica Bayne” or “Jessica Brunet.”

Known for his stage savvy, Robert Kerr’s foundation in opera began in musical theater. Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times wrote of his Falstaff: “He made words matter and conveyed the self-delusion of this likable laughingstock… “. Known to Opera Columbus audiences, Robert Kerr returns this season in Tosca and Fellow Travelers. His past performances with the company include the King in Aida; the world première of The Flood by Korine Fujiwara with libretto by Stephen Wadsworth; the title role of Gianni Schicchi; and, Tonio in Pagliacci. Notable credits include a return to Rose Theater with Atsushi Yamada conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra of New York in an all-Verdi concert; he was Pooh-Bah in The Mikado with Performance Santa Fe!; the title role of Rigoletto with Opera Projects Columbus in addition to the title role in Gianni Schicchi with the company. He has been heard as Germont in La traviata with the Philharmonia Orchestra of New York at Lincoln Center and as soloist in Mozart’s Requiem; and, has appeared with the local symphonies on numerous occasions. In prior seasons, Mr. Kerr returned to Japan for engagements in performances of Requiem by Minoru Miki in Natori and reprising the work at Rose Theater at Lincoln Center; he has covered the role of the King in El Gato con Botas with Gotham Chamber Opera; and, was soloist with the New York City Opera Orchestra in a Japan tour of Carmina Burana. Other engagements include his appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors with Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja in an Aida tribute to honoree, Martina Arroyo. Equally at home in musical theater, Mr. Kerr has sung King Hildebrand in Princess Ida with So. Ohio Light Opera; the role of Peachum in The Threepenny Opera with Amarillo Opera; and Pooh-Bah in The Mikado.

Anabella Petronsi, Argentinian mezzo-soprano, graduated from the National University of Arts in Argentina and The Ohio State University.

Ms. Petronsi has sung Barbarina (Mozart), Serpetta (Mozart), Papagena (Mozart), Despina (Mozart), Rosita (Torroba), Poèsié (Charpentier), Berenice (Rossini), Mrs. Webster (Candey), Flora (Charpentier), Mirror 1 (Albinarrate), Mariquita Sánchez (Scher), Heraldo (Lambertini), Sorceress (Purcell), Rosine (Pasatieri), Giovanna (Verdi), Hansel (Humperdinck), Mercèdés (Bizet), Pillar 3 (The Temple), and Kate (Pirates of Penzance), Francisca (Bernstein), Bridesmaid (Mozart), and Primavera (Scarlatti), and Flower 3 (Catán). Recently, Ms. Petronsi sang with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, performing El Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla under the baton of guest conductor Josep Vicent.

Ms. Petronsi worked as an Artistic Administrator, Director of Operations and Special Projects, and Events Director for the College of Musical Arts at the National University of Arts in Argentina. Ms. Petronsi sang with Enhorabuena Company, Opera Joven, Ensemble Tempus, Worthigton Chamber Orchestra, The Cardinal Ensemble, Opera Project Columbus, Opera Columbus, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Petronsi is the Music Director of St. John the Baptist and Sacred Heart Catholic Churches, Marketing Associate for Opera Columbus, and Voice Instructor.

Allison Steiner is thrilled to make her professional singing debut with Opera Columbus in Pirates! The Penzance Musical. Her love of music began early; she has been playing piano and violin for over 30 years, beginning with the CCM prep program at the age of 4. Allison performed in Centerville High School productions of Les Misérables and Bye Bye Birdie. She previously appeared on the Opera Columbus stage as a supernumerary in Rigoletto, making this production a particularly exciting return.

When she’s not singing, Allison runs Vivace Consulting, specializing in Finance and IT Transformation. She also serves as Vice President and Finance Chair of Opera Columbus. She is delighted to experience the organization from a very different side of the curtain!

Outside of work and opera, Allison is busy raising two children, who are quickly learning that Mom’s hobbies have a tendency to become family affairs. Her husband is relieved to finally have something other than Gilbert and Sullivan playing on the car stereo post-production.

Brandon Shaw McKnight is a singer, actor, director, teaching artist, and multidisciplinary artist. With Opera Columbus, he has performed as Indio in West Side Story and The Dragon in The Temple, and now returns to the stage for Pirates! The Penzance Musical.

Brandon’s connection to Opera Columbus also includes two seasons as the Crane Directing Fellow from 2023–2025. Most recently, he returned to direct Daniel Catán’s La hija de Rappaccini, continuing an artistic relationship that has allowed him to grow as both a performer and director.

Beyond Opera Columbus, Brandon recently directed L’amant anonyme with New Camerata Opera in New York City. He is an alum of More Art’s Engaging Artists Fellowship and currently serves as a Teaching Artist with Broadway Bound Kids.

For Brandon, Opera Columbus feels like home—a place of collaboration, artistic growth, and joyful return.

www.brandonshawmcknight.com

Michael Kirkman is well known to Columbus audiences as both a soloist and ensemble singer. He recent appearances with Opera Columbus include “Old Man” in Old Man and the Sea; “Bonifacio” in Carmen, and “Spoletta” in the company’s production of Tosca, marking OC’s return to the Southern Theatre and celebrating its 40th Anniversary. He was a soloist for the 2023 immersive Messiah Sing Along. Other recent OC appearances include La Traviata; Nozze di Figaro; Eugine Onegin; La Cenerentola; and the return of grand opera to the Ohio Theatre in Rigoletto. He performed with the company as “Uncle Yakuside” in 2013’s Madama Butterfly, as “An Officer” with Erie Mills in Ariadne auf Naxos, and as a chorister since 1991. Over the years, Michael has sung with the Columbus Light Opera and several choral ensembles, including in 2025 with the Columbus Symphony Chorus for the Columbus premiere of the Britten War Requiem. This will be his twenty-eighth year as tenor soloist and section leader with the Broad Street Choir at Broad Street Presbyterian Church. His work as a soloist includes Messiah, the Mozart Requiem, as well as Shubert’s Mass in G; Britten Agnus Dei and Rejoice in the Lamb; Saint- Saen Requiem; Bach Cantata #142 Uns ist ein Kind geboren; Bach Magnificat; Dubois Seven Last Words of Christ; and Bernstein Chichester Psalms. Michael studied with Robin Rice at the Ohio State University and more recently with Jason Heister at Ohio Wesleyan University. He is a cofounder of Converging Arts Columbus, www.convergingartscolumbus.org

Omen Thomas Sade (he/him) is honored to join Pirates! at Columbus Opera. Favorite past roles include Lilas Pasilla (Carmen, Santa Fe Opera), Lucio (Measure for Measure, Shakespeare in Delaware Park) Arlecchino (Servant of Two Masters, Piccolo Theater Chicago), Tranio (Taming of the Shrew, STONC), Vikram (Vikram & Betal, Pipeline Theater, NYC), and Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet, WallByrd).  Omen co-wrote and performed in Trea$ure Island and BDP Peter Pan, which gained nine nominations from Broadway World. His original ensemble Sci-Fi work, SOMNIUM, at RIT/NTID received a commendation for Conception & Direction by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. The Squid’s Tale, Omen’s verse adaptation of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, is coming soon to a festival near you.

@omen.sade & www.DramaticSpace.com

Mitch Menchaca was appointed President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) in 2025.

Before joining GCAC, Mitch served as Arts and Culture Director for the City of Phoenix, where he led the city’s award-winning public art program, managed a dozen cultural facilities, and administered several grant programs supporting artists and arts organizations. He also oversaw Phoenix’s Youth and Education Office and the Archaeology Office and Museum, and served as interim director of the Phoenix Public Library.

During his tenure, the City of Phoenix invested more than $12 million in COVID-19 relief funding to support the arts and culture sector through grantmaking, capacity-building, and workforce development. Under his leadership, Phoenix was among eight cities nationwide selected to receive a $1 million grant through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge, which led to ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade—an innovative public art initiative designed to address the city’s extreme urban heat. Mitch also helped secure $50 million for arts and cultural projects as part of a larger $500 million General Obligation Bond program.

An Arizona native, Mitch relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2009 to lead the Local Arts Advancement Department at Americans for the Arts, where he led a team that served and advanced the nation’s 4,500 local arts agencies, including GCAC. He has also held leadership roles with the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, Chorus America and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Mitch currently serves on the board of the League of American Orchestras. He is a former board member of the Arizona Community Foundation and DataArts (formerly the Cultural Data Project) and served as the governor-appointed arts and culture co-chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission. He was honored with the 2024 Leader of the Year Award in Public Policy by the Arizona Capitol Times, received the 2025 Employee Excellence Award from the City of Phoenix, and was recognized by Columbus Business First as one of its 2026 influential business and community leaders.

Mitch holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University.

As President and CEO of GCAC, Mitch is committed to ensuring that artists, arts and cultural organizations, and businesses thrive and that the arts continue to strengthen and connect Columbus residents and visitors.

Chad Whittington has spent his entire professional life with the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA). His is a career that truly started from the ground up: he first started working for CAPA part time in 1998 as a cleaner while he attended college. Since then, he has worked as a Financial Analyst, Controller, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Interim President and CEO, and ultimately as permanent CEO, a mantle he assumed in 2017.

CAPA serves as a presenter of performing arts and entertainment, as well as owner/operator of three Columbus theaters (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Southern Theatre), and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Drexel Theatre, Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, and the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut.

Whittington received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from The Ohio State University.

Rolando Salazar has served as the Associate Conductor/Chorus Master for The Atlanta Opera, Assistant Conductor and pianist at the Bellingham Festival of Music, and was recently seen in performances with The Atlanta Opera (Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Pagliacci), Red River Lyric Opera (Le Nozze di Figaro), Permian Basin Opera (Tosca), Rome Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta Ballet (The Nutcracker), Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, the Ozark Family Opera (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Georgia State University Orchestra, and with Atlanta Concert Opera (Messiah). He has also recently collaborated with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Opera Lousiane (Les contes d’Hoffmann), and with Madison Opera. Mr. Salazar keeps an active coaching and collaborative piano schedule in Atlanta, preparing numerous singers for engagements with major orchestras and opera houses worldwide.

www.rolandosalazarconductor.com

A native of Worcester, outside of Cape Town in South Africa, Hisham Omardien has been a recognized member of the artistic community in Columbus Ohio (USA), for over two decades. Starting his training at the Julia Hickman Academy of Dance, taking Ballet as a subject at Worcester Secondary School and training with Dudley Tomlinson at the University of Cape Town’s Ballet School, Omardien danced with both CAPAB Ballet, the now Cape Town City Ballet and former State Theatre Ballet before joining BalletMet in 2000. A two-time recipient of the prestigious South African Balletomanes Award,Omardien also earned the 2004’s Violetta Boft Memorial Award.

His favorite performance roles were the lead in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, the title role in David Nixon’s Dracula, the role of Armand in Veronica Paeper’s Camille, Don José in her Carmen, dancing in Dwight Roden’s Carmina Burana, the Man in Stanton Welch’s Maninyas, the Pas de Deux Couple in James Kudelka’s There Below and his Gazebo Dances. Gazebo Dances received rave reviews from New York critics when BalletMet was invited to perform at the Joyce Theatre. After retiring from dance, Omardien went on to become Rehearsal Director with BalletMet, working with renowned choreographers from around the world. Omardien is married to fellow retired company dancer and Rehearsal Director of BalletMet, Olivia Clark Omardien, with whom he is raising his daughter Safiyyah and his son Zayn.

Alan Tyson is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and community leader from Columbus, Ohio, whose journey in the arts began at age nine. His passion for performance and storytelling later led him to study Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and spend nearly a decade working in New York City across theatre, film, and commercial platforms. Alan continues to work as an actor, director, writer, and creative collaborator committed to inclusive storytelling and community impact. Beyond the arts, he serves as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, serves on the Advisory Council for the Gateway Film Center, is an alumnus of the African American Leadership Academy and the Lincoln Theatre’s Expand Your Horizon Artist Incubation Program, and co-founded Inspire2Teach1, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to arts education, mentorship, wellness, and financial literacy for youth.

Other projects include a TEDx talk on site-specific opera productions in the modern age, Neverland (China Broadway): a $20 million, 50,000 square immersive theater piece in Beijing based on Peter Pan directed by Allegra Libonati, which required collaboration with 650 people,  a PPE friendly outdoor Fall Festival productions (the Atlanta Opera) directed by Tomer Zvulun, an immersive Pagliacci (Boston Lyric Opera) production complete with fair grounds inside an ice rink directed by David Lefkowich and Playground (Opera Omaha) a National touring operatic sound sculpture in collaboration with composer Ellen Reid.

She has served on the panel for OPERA America adjudicating the Tobin Director- Designer showcase and is actively involved in the Women’s Opera Network, first as a mentee (General Director distinction) and now as a mentor. Noulin-Mérat is a part of the OA Leadership Intensive cohort and currently serves on the OPERA America Board as Council Co-Chair, Learning & Leadership. She was selected to be one of the 10 delegates to represent the United States at the World Opera Forum 2024 in Los Angeles.

With over 25 years of experience in the performing arts industry and a big advocate for cultural equity in opera, she is a graduate of Boston University with a Masters in Business Arts Administration, an MFA in Set Design, a Diversity Inclusion certificate from ESSEC Business School, a social media marketing specialization from Northwestern University, a Fundraising Development Specialization from UC Davis, a Finance & Leadership certification from Harvard Business School. Her work has been featured in Opera News, LiveDesign, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to name a few.

Benjamin Pilat (Lighting Designer) is a designer, educator, and artist. Recent designs include Sweeney Todd and The Barber of Seville with Opera Saratoga and the world premiere of Haruki Murakami’s Dance, Dance, Dance at The University of Hawaii.  Previously, Benjamin headed the Production/Design program at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and served as the Resident Lighting Designer and Lighting Director for Los Angeles Ballet. Additional clients include: Juilliard, Yale, Music Academy of the West, International City Theatre, Colorado Mesa University, and Chaminade University of Hawaii. Benjamin regularly speaks at conferences and universities on the future of lighting and other topics at the intersection of art and technology. Member: United Scenic Artists 829 and United States Institute of Theatre Technology.

Lonelle Yoder has been working in the Columbus theatre scene for years and is happy to join the Opera Columbus team again. Recent props credits: Witch (Available Light Theatre), Indecent, 9 to 5: The Musical, and But You Could’ve Held My Hand (CATCO). When not building props, Lonelle does wildlife rehab, tends her garden, and makes jam out of foraged wild fruits.