 David Radamés Toro's career as a stage director really began at the age of 10 when he would set epic battles, dramatic scenes, and grand parades with his X-men figures to classical music or movie soundtracks like Star Wars or Citizen Kane. It wasn’t until he was in graduate school studying voice that he formalized his training at Ohio State, where he trained in physical theater and Meisner Technique. Since then his work has been seen at companies like Minnesota Opera, the Wexford Opera Festival, Washington National Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Central City Opera, Opera Saratoga, and Opera Neo. David applies his background in physical theater to direct, especially utilizing his skills as a mime. “The idea of mime is to concentrate on an idea to create clarity for the audience, which I believe invites the audience to follow the emotional journey of the characters more honestly without relying on emotional manipulation.” He also draws inspiration from silent film (Charlie Chaplin and German silent film), his theater mentors (Jeanine Thompson at Ohio State, Greg Goldsten - Mime, Peter Kozma at Opera Neo) and the movies of Guillermo DelToro, especially Hellboy 2 and Pan's Labyrinth.  "Flight" at Minnesota Opera A proud Latin artist, David dreams of developing a new work that explore his Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. He had the opportunity to feel the impact of Latinx representation in opera as an assistant director, working with Leonard Foglia, on El Pasado Nunca Se Termina at Fort Worth Opera. “I was moved everyday, not only by the story, but Latinx representation on stage and in the music from various generations of Latinx artists. I had never felt more proud to be a Latino in Opera.”
David works with a variety of musical repertoire and has an affinity for baroque and 20th/21st century works, listing Flight at Minnesota Opera among his proudest achievements. “I like to work with collaborators who are not afraid to contribute ideas outside of their field. A conductor who may have a great spin on a character or a lighting designer who feels a particular way about a scene. I truly enjoy collaborating and sharing ideas.” See David’s work with Opera Neo and connect with him at https://www.dtorodirects.com/. |
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