Bio
Chinese-born stage director Mo Zhou is a visionary force in opera and theater, celebrated for her innovative and dynamic productions that transcend traditional boundaries. Her work has graced esteemed stages worldwide, including Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Elbphilharmonie, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in China. In addition, Ms. Zhou currently serves as a guest Artistic Director at Opera Grand Rapids.
Last season, Ms. Zhou directed the Butler Studio Showcase at Houston Grand Opera, revived her acclaimed Madama Butterfly with Florentine Opera and Kentucky Opera, directed La Bohème for Arizona Opera, revived Meilina Tsui and Melisa Tien’s The Big Swim for Houston Grand Opera in conjunction with the Asia Society Texas Center, and directed new production of Così fan tutte for Virginia Opera, which she also staged for The Juilliard School. Last spring, Ms. Zhou made her Canadian début directing Madama Butterfly for Vancouver Opera and finished up the season with a new production of Don Giovanni for Music Academy of the West. This season, Ms. Zhou’s engagements include a début with Opera Colorado for Madama Butterfly, the Michigan premiere of Stuck Elevator for Opera Grand Rapids, and a new production of Madama Butterfly for Calgary Opera, Arizona Opera, and Opera Grand Rapids.
Her 2023-2024 season featured the world premiere of Meilina Tsui and Melisa Tien’s The Big Swim, a reimagined Madama Butterfly set in post-WWII Allied-occupied Japan at Virginia Opera, Tosca with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and La Calisto for the Glimmerglass Festival. Previous highlights include Rinaldo at Minnesota Opera and Iphigénie en Tauride with Boston Baroque. She is a recipient of the OPERA America Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors as well as OPERA America Robert Tobin Director-Designer Prize.
An advocate for young talent, Ms. Zhou has taught at the University of Michigan and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and has served as guest dramatic faculty at prestigious programs like the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Butler Studio at Houston Grand Opera, and Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. Ms. Zhou received her training at The Juilliard School, Merola Opera Program, Wolf Trap Opera, and Glimmerglass Festival. She has also worked on the directing staff at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, and Dallas Opera. She holds an MFA in Stage Directing from Columbia University, where she studied under Anne Bogart, and a BA in English and Theater from Bowdoin College.