Tess Naval was the inaugural Ryan Opera Center Ensemble Stage Manager at Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2022-2024. She is a proud AGMA stage manager. Tess graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Stage Management.

       She recently Stage Managed for Pittsburgh Opera's productions of Curlew River, Armida and the World Premieres of Time to Act and Woman with Eyes Closed. She also Assistant Stage Managed for La bohème, Fellow Travelers, Tosca, Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci, and Madama Butterfly.

     Her work while in the Ryan Opera Center include assistant stage managing the World Premiere of The Factotum, and assisting with Rising Stars in Concert (2023, 2024), Aida, Champion, Jenůfa, The Flying Dutchman, Carmen, Don Carlos, Fiddler on the Roof, Sunday in the Park with Lyric, and Ryan Opera Center Scenes Workshop 2022. She worked as an Assistant Stage Manager at The Glimmerglass Festival on Tosca, The Rake's Progress, The Pirates of Penzannce, Elizabeth Cree, La bohème, and Romeo and Juliet. She also Stage Managed the World Premiere Youth Opera The Rip van Winkles. Some other recent projects include work with Albany Park Theater Project, Gather with Filament Theatre, Yale Opera's Fall Opera Scenes, L'elisir d'amore, and Le rossignol.

​​    Tess also has a passion for reading, knitting, crocheting, watercolor, book rebinding, tap dancing, and environmental science.