Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Freemantle.
Megan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Family moved to Houston in 1975. Did my senior year in Drama at HSPVA. I spent a summer at AtroWorld in the live show under Bob Logan. Got accepted to Stephens College where I received my BFA in Theater. Did my props apprenticeship with Diana Fey at Syracuse Stage. Worked at Utah Shakespeare -summer gigs- before heading the Alley Theatre Props dept. Switched from 615 Texas Ave. (Alley’s address) to 615 Louisianna (HGO’s then current address) in the fall of 1985.
The lure of size and scale of Opera was calling. Working alongside national and international award-winning set designers, as well as multi-talented freelancers is great for feeding creative energies. I spent a couple of years with restructured work hours so I could start our family eventually coming back full time. Lots of Carmen’s and Madame Butterfly’s and a Ring Cycle later still get a thrill.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been one of the lucky ones I feel. The challenges have been part of the art process really. Where the work is being done, build or buy, scheduling rehearsals were the nuts and bolts can be finessed, becoming a creative team with the success of the production at stake, it all repeats with each show.
Keeping up with 21st Century innovation is proving challenging coming from a non-typing beginning. There are some truly amazing things that can be done so well using computers. Just beautiful works.
Please tell us about Houston Grand Opera.
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, most highly acclaimed opera companies in the US. HGO was the only American finalist for the Opera Company of the Year at the 2017 International Opera Awards.
HGO’s mission to advance the operatic art to serve an ever-evolving audience has us leading the field in commissioning new works (65 world premieres to date). We have won a Tony, 2 Grammy’s and 3 Emmy awards. It’s the only opera company to have won all three honors. Designing and building HGO’s Brunnhilde, a first place winning art car, with our opera guild and volunteers ranging in age from 4-85 yrs old. was my highlight, so far.
Working on all the shows -be it our Opera To Go (young audience opera’s) to main stage productions and even our Opera Camps held during the summer, I feel HGO brings an enriching, passionate experience to our audience and city. I love the “hunt”. The props list, which is like a scavenger’s hunt list, is where one starts in props… There can be time travel involved !! depending on the time frame/century the design is set in.
I meet some really interesting folks doing research and procuring. Houston’s freelance artist pool is all ways growing and their fun to work with and grow support for our opera company… I feel my length of experience and networking are some of my best”tools in my toolbox” I also don’t get tired of learning and trying something new. Even if there are mistakes along the way they have value to me. I like growing. They say change is the only constant so … Let’s do it.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Swinging on a swing set hanging from a tree, singing. I did this for full afternoons when I was little. I think there was a lot of clouds watching and imagining what the shapes and scenes were.
Contact Info:
- Website: HGO.org
- Phone: 713-546-0200
Image Credit:
Lynn Lane
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