“It’s my mission to sustain and elevate opera, now and in the future,” Vallejo shared.

A Chicano director, playwright, and multidisciplinary storyteller, Mark Anthony Vallejo has distinguished himself through productions that blend bold theatricality, emotional immediacy, and an unwavering commitment to meaningful storytelling. His work reflects a strong artistic identity rooted in both innovation and cultural consciousness. Also an educator and dancer from East Los Angeles, his work blends opera, theater, movement, and visual storytelling. He holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from UCLA and has trained extensively in directing, dance, stage combat, and non-western theatrical practices. Vallejo currently serves as Artist-in-Residence Director with Opera San José and has worked with organizations including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and The Metropolitan Opera. His directing style is known for its physicality, abstract visual imagery, and emotionally charged storytelling influenced by magical realism and post-dramatic theatre practices.

The JoElyn Wakefield-Wright Stage Director Fellowship has become an important launching point for emerging directors across the industry, with many previous recipients going on to build distinguished careers in opera and theater. 

For Vallejo, his identity as a Chicano director is deeply connected to both his creative process and his artistic philosophy.

“The Chicano movement champions critical consciousness in all areas of life while in pursuit of civil equality and the freedom of expression,” Anthony explained. “Although it began in the 60s, its principles and values reaffirm my techniques in directing. From script analysis to performance, to the conversations about design, I am always aware of how the story is developed, told, and received.

Being Chicano reinforces my approach to the stage and allows me to be visceral,” he continued. “I have a calling to express my boldest of ideas and I am happy to share that with my artists and community.”

Anthony’s work is also shaped by a desire to expand how stories are imagined and experienced on stage. “Amongst many things, I hope to inspire a diverse generation who approaches storytelling with bold innovations and practices in the field of magical realism,” he said.

^{(Photo: Mark Anthony's production of Lydia (Octavio Solis) at UCLA; photo credit: Rachel Crowl)}

Like many visionary directors, Anthony has also developed recognizable artistic signatures within his productions, the most prominent vehicle being the use of slow-motion. “In every show I direct, there will be movement and moments of slow motion. It’s beautiful to look at and it delivers lightning-speed information about the character and plot; it’s lyrical poetry at its best.”

"For the past few years on the JoElyn Wakefield-Wright Stage Director Fellowship Selection Committee, my pleasure has been to read of the creative passion young directors have for the potential of stage direction.," said Alisa Belflower, Co-Chair of the stage director fellowship committee. Belflower, Professor Emerita at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln went on to say that, "Mark Anthony's work towards his creative goals as a stage director and his initiatives to reach those goals formed a compelling impression of a young artist deserving of NOA's support."

Mark Anthony plans to use the fellowship award to support his tenure as an artist-in-residence stage director with Opera San José. 

^{(Photo: Mark Anthony with his parents Amelia and Jose Vallejo)}

The National Opera Association remains committed to supporting emerging artists and directors whose work strengthens the future of opera through innovation, inclusion, mentorship, and artistic excellence. Through opportunities like the JoElyn Wakefield-Wright Stage Director Fellowship, NOA continues to invest in the next generation of visionary operatic storytellers.

More information about the JoElyn Wakefield-Wright Stage Director Fellowship can be found at NOA.org and information about Vallejo can be found at markanthonydrama.com.