Brett Finley has worked for over 40 years gleefully calling shows and sharing her love of opera with her colleagues and students. She spent 10 years on the University of Michigan faculty, creating the BFA program in Stage Management before returning to her freelance career in 1996. She frequently serves as stage manager for opera productions at UMich, mentoring students, several of whom have subsequently works as assistant stage managers for Brett at various regional opera companies. In recent years, she has been the stage manager for productions for Seattle Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Lyric Opera of Chicago / Scenario Two, San Diego Opera, Tulsa Opera, West Edge Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Colorado, New Orleans Opera, Opera San Jose, and Mill City Summer Opera. This year Brett is thrilled to be one of three recipients of the 2023 Stage Management Association’s Del Hughes Lifetime Achievement Awards.