Passion and performance
Dallas Opera CEO Ian Derrer (Photo by Thanin Viriyaki) Ian Derrer discusses leading The Dallas Opera into its new season with appeal to all audiences RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer Rich@DallasVoice.com In the empty backstage area of the Winspear Opera House, Ian Derrer walks with a slight bounce in his step as he explains the different zones of the working space.
There is construction happening, individuals milling about on their way to another part of the house. Derrer greets each person with genuine enthusiasm.
When we get to the stage, he doles out some behind-the-scenes insight: “You can literally cut into the floor, and you have a trap,” he said pointing to an area of the stage. “We have a big show coming up in a couple of years with a big trap, so we’ll have to cut and then just plug it back up.” Derrer is the executive director of The Dallas Opera which, quite literally, lives in Winspear.
Along with its season of mainstage productions residing on the very stage he’s describing, TDO offices in the higher floors of the opera house.
