MarkAnthony Vallejo, Director
MarkAnthony is extremely excited to be returning as the next Resident Director at Opera San Jose for the 2025-2026 season. He is thrilled to be working on Cosí Fan Tutte, Madama Butterfly, Cavalleria Rusticana, and his personal favorite, La Traviata.
His journey into opera began in 2020 during the Pandemic with an intensive 2-week commitment to watching free nightly streams of Live in HD Encore opera performances from the Met on Facebook. It became a moment of inspiration during challenging times. From there he was brought on as an assistant director to George Bizet’s Carmen, directed by Paul Houghtaling with Music On Site, Inc. in Wichita, Kansas. Since then, he is a two-time finalist for the Stage Directing Fellowship at the Metropolitan Opera (the Met) in New York City in 2023, 2024 respectively. He was graciously invited and attended a weeklong intensive with them for the newly reimagined production of Carmen directed by Carrie Cracknell.
A few months later, in the fall of 2024, he made his opera debut with Opera San José as assistant director on Puccini’s La Bohéme, directed by Metropolitan Opera Fellow, Michelle Cuizon.
Born and raised in East LA, Mark Anthony grew up dancing to Latin music along with being a young artist in theatre. Deciding to remain local, he received his BA in theatre with an emphasis on directing, along with a minor in dance with California State University of Long Beach. During his undergrad he received multiple full-ride scholarships to CSU Summer Arts, where he trained with the Actors’ Gang, in dance and theatrical stage combat.
Continuing his physical approach to storytelling, he went on to become a dance intern with Contra-Tiempo Activist Dance Theatre with founder and serving lead choreographer, Ana María Alvarez. At the same time, he was able to continue refining his directing skill sets as assistant director on Will Eno’s Middletown directed by Trevor Biship, at Chance Theatre. He also
worked with South Coast Repertory as assistant director on both Mr. Popper’s Penguins and SHREW! directed by Art Manke. He also assisted as AD to Founding Artistic director, Martin Benson, on Jen’s Silverman’s The Roommate.
Storytelling became his passion, which cultivated into an MFA in Directing from UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television. During his time there, he was awarded full grants from UCLA to study theatre in London and France. He also served as a FAIR assistant director with Oregon Shakespeare Festival working alongside Bill Rauch, on a world premiere bilingual adaption of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors titled La Commedia of Errores.
He finished his program as co-director alongside artistic director José Luis Valenzuela on the hit revival of La Victima with the Latino Theatre Company.
He is especially grateful for Paula Suozzi, for connecting him with further opportunities at OSJ and speaking on his behalf. He owes much gratitude to Michell Cuizon, for their mentorship and guidance in the rehearsal room. Lastly, to Shawna Lucey, for this amazing opportunity.
Mark Anthony is an ecstatic and passionate collaborator who seeks to tell stories from a provoking set of images, sound, and physical storytelling. He is always giving thanks to his supporters, students, and fellow colleges.
He is looking forward to bringing his Mexican and Chicano roots to the company and create a memorable season for all.
Regional directing credits include: La Bohéme (OSJ, AD), La Comedia of Errors (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, FAIR Directing Observer); Mr. Popper’s Penguins (South Coast Repertory, AD); The Roommate (South Coast Repertory, AD); Other directing credits include George Bizet’s Carmen (MOSI Company, Co-Dir.); In the Heights and Anna in the Tropics (Long Beach City College, Director and Co-Choreographer); Colossal (ELAC, Dir. ); La Victima (Latino Theatre Company, Co- Director and Choreographer); A Mexican Trilogy-Faith (Latino Theatre Company, Co-Director); Middletown (Chance Theatre, AD); Lydia (UCLA Thesis); Bent (UCLA); Woyzeck (UCLA); Diary of Anne Frank (CSULB) and The Whipping Man (CSULB).
Mark Anthony thanks his parents and his family for all their love and support!
If you are interested in supporting or sponsoring an Artist-in-Residence, please reach out to Stephanie Wallace at wallace@operasj.org