Tony Zancanella has a lot of ideas and big plans when it comes to transforming old industrial buildings into places where art can flourish. As the director of Opera Southwest (OSW) in Albuquerque, he has been working for the past ten years to bring one vision in particular to fruition. That vision became a reality in September of 2022 with the purchase of the 11,500 s.f. former Spitzer Automotive warehouse on 3rd and Mountain, just north of the downtown area. The building will now function as the Opera’s technical production facility where a staff of skilled technicians and artists can work their magic creating the sets, props and costumes that are integral to the opera experience.

Tony’s energy, enthusiasm and focus are evident from the moment he starts speaking of OSW’s latest investment. “This space allows us to build our own sets right here in Albuquerque, whereas formerly we’ve had to contract with companies in Texas, New England, and California.” OSW, he emphasizes, is now poised to provide critical jobs for the production side of theater. “These are good jobs, interesting jobs that will bring economic diversity and opportunity for skilled workers to one of Albuquerque’s core historic neighborhoods.”

OSW is also able to compete nationally for scenic and costume construction contracts, and take the lead on opera co-productions. “Our set for the opera Carmen,” Tony states proudly, “will travel to Santa Barbara, while the Turandot set from last season was part of a co-production with the opera companies of Fargo and Delaware, again, all built right here in Albuquerque.”

According to Dahl Delu, an Emmy award winning scenic designer who produced a number of sets for OSW, workers had been relegated to substandard storage units, backyards, parking lots, driveways and empty retail space to build, paint and sew while trying to achieve professional results. “Albuquerque enjoys a talented theatrical workforce that has the necessary skills to grow the industry,” states Dahl, but until now, the lack of a professional scene shop to advance their art stymied this growth. “Opera Southwest’s new investment in this area is just what is needed.”

Another benefit of having their own work space is that OSW will be able to expand its apprentice training program for technical theater, which will develop the necessary skills to not only ensure the continued growth of local opera production, but can carry over to other workforce sectors, including the film industry.

And it’s not just about growing the Opera: Tony stresses that their capabilities will serve as a shared asset for the broader theater community. “Our vision,” he says, “is to help create a robust arts and culture scene throughout Albuquerque.” Some of the groups that have already made use of the space include New Mexico Young Actors for their production of The Little Mermaid and the New Mexico Shakespeare Festival. Tony believes the facility will also support and enhance activity at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Popejoy Hall and the KiMo theater.

“Even if you are not an opera fan,” he notes, “if you care about theater or live arts, or even the economic prosperity of our community — all of these areas will benefit, with OSW providing the means to lead the way forward.”

Over the last decade, OSW has grown from two productions per year with a budget of less than a half-million to four productions a year with a budget of 1.5 million, making OSW one of Albuquerque’s largest performing arts organizations.

The production facility is funded through OSW’s capital campaign, a $500,000 grant from the state legislature capital outlay fund, and a commercial loan from Homewise.

“I was looking for financing when a friend mentioned that Homewise is doing commercial lending. I found Homewise easy to deal with and they offered favorable terms. It was a good experience.”

Tony Zancanella, Director, OSW

Johanna Gilligan, Chief External Affairs Officer at Homewise, feels that helping Opera Southwest purchase a building of their own was a great opportunity. “What they’re working toward aligns closely with our community development efforts to make neighborhoods more vibrant. It is an honor to help an organization that has been part of the Albuquerque arts scene for over 50 years achieve their goals to grow and thrive.”

With the production facility up and running at full steam, Tony is excited for the new season of performances to get underway. “I love the whole spectacle of opera — the fusion of voices, orchestra, lights costumes, public reaction. Being able to bring all those pieces together and create special moments in theater has been my vocation, always.”

Article courtesy of Homewise.