The Industry Opera Company’s Artistic Director to Step Down

Yuval Sharon will depart his role at The Industry, the opera company he founded over ten years ago

Yuval Sharon created The Industry opera company in 2010 in Los Angeles as an experimental organization to expand the operatic form. While he will be stepping down from his role as Artistic Director, Sharon will be formally recognized as the company’s Founder. 

Succeeding Sharon is Tim Griffin, who has served as executive director since 2023, and will also be taking on the artistic director position. 

The Industry’s co-artistic directors, Ash Fure and Malik Gaines will form a new artistic advisory council to encourage dialogue about opera across the arts, plus help Griffin select future artists-in-residence.

During his tenure, Sharon worked to make opera less refined and restrictive, and more responsive to the ever-changing social landscape, reported the LA Times. He also sought to engage young, diverse audiences and to expand opportunities for women and artists of color.

Born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, Sharon was exposed to opera at an early age during regular trips to the Lyric Opera of Chicago with his father. He later pursued English and drama studies at the University of California.

In New York, Sharon founded the Theater Faction theater company and worked at New York City Opera as an assistant director. In 2016, he was appointed the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s first-ever Artist Collaborator. He has also worked with the Berlin State Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera.

Among his achievements include winning the prestigious MacArthur genius grant and publishing his book “A New Philosophy of Opera,” which explores the imaginative and interdisciplinary possibilities of opera. 

In 2020, Sharon was appointed artistic director of Detroit Opera — a position that was recently extended through to the 2027/28 concert season. 

His upcoming projects include giving the premiere of a new production of Così fan tutte at Detroit Opera, as well as directing the Metropolitan Opera’s next “Ring” cycle beginning in 2028. He will be making his debut with the Met next season with a new production of Tristan und Isolde.

Sharon and the Industry will celebrate the company’s legacy and future on January 30, 2025, at the Bradbury Building with a Decade Party. 

“When I started The Industry in 2010, I never imagined the impact the organization would have in Los Angeles and on the wider field of opera,” said Sharon, according to Broadway World. “The Industry is, without question, something I will consider a lifetime achievement – one made possible by the enthusiasm and curiosity of L.A.’s uniquely engaged audiences.

“It’s now time to pass the torch to the very capable hands of Executive Director and Artistic Director Tim Griffin — there’s truly no better person to carry the torch and lead the organization into its next chapter,” he continued. “As Founder, I intend to continue supporting The Industry’s next steps, attending upcoming performances and conceiving future projects unique to The Industry’s identity.”

“Yuval’s artistic vision is extraordinary, with The Industry during his tenure standing at the forefront not only of opera, but also of the arts more generally,”  Griffin expressed. “His continually groundbreaking work is singular here and around the world. Everyone is profoundly grateful to Yuval and, moreover, excited to honor his legacy and carry The Industry’s mission forward — pushing the boundaries and potential of opera and its dialogue with all the arts, and growing our deep connection with audiences in Los Angeles and beyond.”

(PC: Nic Antaya)