The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has announced that Kathleen Clawson will step down as Artistic Director of Dayton Opera following the 2025-2026 season. Clawson, who has held the position since 2021 and directed 15 productions for the company between 2009 and 2020 prior to her appointment, said she is leaving “to center my focus on my family.”

Under Clawson’s leadership, Dayton Opera’s ticket sales increased by 112 percent. She produced seven new productions and seven Dayton Opera premieres, and brought international opera stars including John Holiday and Will Liverman to perform with the company. President and CEO Patrick Nugent described her work as “visionary, inspiring” and said the audience growth since the pandemic has been “impressive.”

The current season continues with “The Cook-Off” and “Bon Appétit!,” followed by a John Holiday solo recital in April and a concert performance of “Porgy and Bess” to close out the year.

Source: https://daytonperformingarts.org/dayton-opera-artistic-director-kathleen-clawson-announces-departure/