Cynthia Stokes, 1981, B.A. Speech and Theatre Arts, recently founded SD CITY Opera in San Diego, Calif., a new, artist-driven opera company dedicated to building community by turning beautiful music into stunning theatre and contributing to the dynamic reimagining of opera in America for the 21st century. Previously, Ms. Stokes started La Jolla Playhouse’s Summer Conservatory and San Diego Opera’s Summer Opera Institute. Ms. Stokes has collaborated with some of America’s most exciting composers and librettists including creating original work for the Cincinnati Opera, Opera Carolina, Los Angeles Opera, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Other opera directing credits include: San Diego Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Piedmont Opera, Mainly Mozart and Glimmerglass Opera. She is currently on faculty at The Taos Opera Institute and is Resident Stage Director at San Antonio’s Opera Piccola. An accomplished theatre director, her work has been seen at American Conservatory Theatre, The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theatre, and North Coast Rep. She also holds an M.FA. in Directing from the University of California at San Diego. Watch a video about CITY Opera’s inaugural production Queen of Carthage.
Christine Tawfik, 2007, B.A. Technical Journalism, CSU Theatre, recently guest starred on NBC’s The Blacklist as Nasim Bakhash in the episode entitled “The Dijin.” She also has a recurring role as an ER doctor on NBC’s Chicago Fire, and co-starred in ABC’s Betrayal.