As we reflect during this season of gratitude, one truth shines brightly at Lyric Opera of Kansas City: opera brings people together.
Opera ignites friendships in the audience, builds bonds behind the curtain, and creates a community where generosity and artistry meet to bring unforgettable stories to life. This year, we’re celebrating the extraordinary friendships that make our opera family so special.
In front of the curtain, “Opera is better with friends.”
Left to right: Bob Johnson, Megan Toal, Rebecca Johnson—Fall 2025 Angel Appreciation Event / Photo © Andrew Schwartz.
For longtime patrons and Lyric Opera Angels Rebecca Johnson and Megan Toal, opera began as a personal passion—but quickly became the foundation of a cherished friendship.
They met at an Angels event, both dazzled by the intimate performance and the beauty of the evening. “We were both awed by the beautiful home we were in and the live performance happening right in front of us,” Becky remembers. “I think we bonded over the beauty of the whole event.”
From that day forward, opera became something they experienced together—deep dives, dinners, opening nights, and the kinds of conversations that stay with you long after the curtain falls.
One of their favorite memories? A debate about Pinkerton after a Madame Butterfly lecture.
“We had vastly different opinions,” Becky laughs. “We talked the whole way home, then again at dinner, and then after the performance. I’m not sure any of us changed our minds, but it was terrific.”
For Megan, who once attended opera alone as “a gift to herself,” finding opera friends changed everything.
“Knowing I’ve played a small role in supporting these magical evenings—and knowing Becky is doing the same—creates a sense of belonging,” Megan says. “Opera is magnificent and dramatic, but it’s definitely better with friends.”
Behind the curtain, “We're one unit.”
Selena Gonzalez-Lopez (left) at her wedding, accompanied by Rafael Toribio (right), who served as her Man of Honor
Not all friendships at Lyric Opera begin in the audience. Some begin years earlier—in classrooms, rehearsal studios, and theaters around Kansas City.
Technical Director Rafael Toribio and Assistant Technical Director Selena Gonzalez-Lopez first worked together in college and built their careers side by side before joining Lyric Opera. Their long friendship and shared professional experiences have shaped a partnership built on trust, communication, and a commitment to creative problem-solving under pressure.
“Because we know each other’s strengths, we can hand tasks off instinctively,” Rafael says. “Once we’re in the theater, Selena leads one half of the crew and I lead the other. We’re a unit.”
That trust and teamwork allow them to bring big, ambitious ideas to the stage.
“I came from much smaller theaters,” Rafael says. “It’s cool to work with such talented craftspeople and painters. I’m not doing it alone anymore—I have a team to lean on. It makes the work feel bigger, richer, and more collaborative.”
For Selena, the impact of their work reveals itself in small, powerful moments: meeting an audience member who attended in honor of her mother or overhearing a grocery store clerk rave about the opera performance he attended the night before.
“Opera matters,” she says. “And our crew is phenomenal. We have a tight bond, and we’re proud of what we create together.”
Your Support Makes These Friendships Possible
At Lyric Opera of Kansas City, every connection—onstage, backstage, and in the audience—grows out of a shared belief in the power of opera to bring people together.
The support of this shared community sustains the artists, technicians, educators, and community partners who create these extraordinary experiences. It builds a space where new friendships form, long-standing ones deepen, and opera continues to inspire long after the curtain falls.
Together, we bring opera to life. Together, we create community. And together—with friends on both sides of the curtain—we make magic possible.
About the author:
Dr. Rebecca Ballinger Clark has been with Lyric Opera of Kansas City since 2022 and currently serves as Major Gifts Officer. An energetic and passionate arts administrator, she is dedicated to institutional storytelling and fostering meaningful connections across Kansas City’s arts community. Rebecca is also an active solo and collaborative performer and can be found singing joyfully throughout the city.
