Allen prepares to lead Ohio Light Opera

Dr. Jacob Allen, Ohio Light Opera’s associate artistic director, is poised to become the new artistic director in August. Allen has been with OLO for 20 years, working his way up the ranks.

“I feel an enormous sense of gratitude stepping into this role,” he said. “OLO has shaped me as an artist, educator and leader for more than two decades, and I’m deeply honored by the trust that Steve Daigle, the board and this community have placed in me. I’m excited for the future and committed to ensuring that this remarkable company continues to thrive for many years to come.”

Allen’s OLO career began in 2006 as a member of the young artist company. He became a professional artist with the company in 2009 and directed his first OLO production in 2010.

“This summer marks my 21st season with the Ohio Light Opera,” Allen said. “It’s extraordinary to realize that a company I first joined as a young artist has now become such a defining part of both my artistic and personal life.”

Allen became familiar with repertory theater at an early age, and it’s his love of rep that initially brought him to the stage in Wooster.

“My parents had founded a theatre company that produced the work of Gilbert and Sullivan, so I grew up with this stuff,” Allen said. “The company represented a rare opportunity to work at an incredibly high artistic level while also getting hands-on experience in the unique repertory model that makes OLO so special. I immediately fell in love with both the work and the community.”

While Allen officially resides in Memphis, he considers Wooster his second home. Besides the summers, he travels back to Wayne County four or so times during each offseason.

Allen brings impressive credentials to his upcoming role. He founded the BFA in Musical Theater degree program in the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Memphis in 2010. For the past six years, he has been chair of the department. Allen is also director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, the only doctoral-granting music school in the Mid-South region.

In addition to those duties, Allen is also the executive director of the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, a 1,000-seat, state-of-the-art auditorium that produces a professional concert and theater season each year.

“I keep busy,” he said.

Growing up in a musical family, Allen began piano at age 5 and also studied cello and pipe organ while learning all of the concert band instruments.

“It was no surprise when I went to the conservatory for undergrad,” he said. “I have a BMus in voice performance and a BA in theatre arts from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where I recently won the Nathan M. Pusey Young Alumni Achievement Award.”

Allen also studied stage direction at The Eastman School of Music under current artistic director Steven Daigle and received a DMA in performance (voice) from the University of Memphis.

At OLO, the artistic director is ultimately responsible for all the artistic operations of the company, from selecting the shows in the season to choosing the other artistic leaders for each season to supervising those who do casting to hiring technical positions. Allen said the artistic director works closely with Laura Neill, the executive director, to keep the company healthy, on track fiscally and presenting artistic excellence.

Taking on the new OLO position is a calling for Allen.

“I am extremely passionate about the company and its mission,” Allen said. “The state of regional theatre across the country is rather bleak at the moment. Companies are poofing out of existence every year. One shaky transition in leadership can sometimes be the ‘straw that breaks the camel’s back,’ so to speak. So, when Steve and the board asked me to helm the transition, I knew that my history with the company and work running complex theatrical and musical operations would help ensure the future of OLO by providing the smoothest transition possible.”

Allen takes stewardship of the OLO legacy very seriously. He is looking toward thoughtful evolution in the years to come.

“I’m very interested in continuing to broaden the repertoire thoughtfully, deepening community engagement and ensuring that OLO remains a place where emerging artists can develop alongside seasoned professionals at the highest level,” Allen said.

Community means everything to the Ohio Light Opera, Allen said. He loves talking to people about the season at community outreach events.

“Each time I try and fail to express the extreme gratitude I have for Wooster and the rest of Wayne County,” he said.

How can the community support the OLO?

“The simplest answer,” Allen said, “is come experience the work. Buy tickets, bring friends, introduce someone new to live theatre or operetta. Organizations like OLO thrive when audiences feel personally connected to the experience. Beyond that, community advocacy and financial support are both critically important. Regional arts organizations across the country are facing real challenges, and every person who attends, volunteers, donates or simply spreads enthusiasm about the company helps ensure that this extraordinary institution continues for future generations.”

Where will the OLO be heading under Allen’s guidance?

“I’m looking forward to figuring out where we go from here for the next 10-20 years,” Allen said. “What does serving our mission look like in a rapidly changing world? Stay tuned for that answer.”

The 2026 OLO season opens June 13 with My Fair Lady, directed by Allen. Tickets for the show and all shows of the current season are available online at https://ohiolightopera.org/box-office/ and at the box office, 329 E. University St., Wooster.

“I think this season beautifully represents the breadth of what OLO does so uniquely well,” Allen said. “There is great comedy, sweeping romance, beloved classics, lesser-known gems and an incredible range of musical styles. I’m especially excited about the energy of the company this summer. We have an exceptionally strong group of performers, musicians, directors and designers joining us.”