Sarasota Opera announces new director of production

The Sarasota Opera Association announced Christopher Van Alstyne has been appointed as its new director of production. Most recently, Van Alstyne served from 2006 to 2009 as the production manager with the Baltimore Opera Company, where he oversaw the production and technical departments with an annual operating budget of $3.2 million.

In his new position with the Sarasota Opera, Van Alstyne will oversee an annual departmental operating budget of $4.1 million, which includes stage operations, production stage management, technical administration, scene construction, costume shop and wig and makeup departments. He will also be responsible for the company’s set rental program.

“I have spent more than 25 years in the support of the arts, working all over the world but have not been as enthusiastic about any other position, organization or location,” Van Alstyne said. “It just feels like a perfect fit. I am thankful to Susan Danis and Maestro (Victor) DeRenzi for offering me this opportunity and ‘on with the show!’”

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].