Brian Byrnes (United States)

Fight Director

HGO Appearances: HGOco’s Courtside (2011), Lucia di Lammermoor (2011), Dead Man Walking (2011), Madame Butterfly (2010, 2004), Tosca (2010, 2003), Rigoletto (2009), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2009), Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (2008), Billy Budd (2008), Abduction from the Seralglio (2008), A Masked Ball (2007), Aïda (2007), Faust (2007), Don Giovanni (2006, 1999), Simon Boccanegra (2006), Carmen (2006, 2000), Manon Lescaut (2006, 2003), Romeo and Juliet (2005), Idomeneo (2005), Il Trovatore (2005), Salsipuedes (2004), Turandot (2004), Julius Caesar (2003), Ariodante (2002), Of Mice and Men (2002), Cold Sassy Tree (2000), Resurrection (1999).

About the Artist: In addition to his work on Houston Grand Opera productions, Byrnes has taught master classes for HGO Studio. Other fight direction and performance credits include those with the Metropolitan Opera, New York theaters, Alley Theatre, Stages Repertory Theatre, Theater Under The Stars, Houston Ballet, Ensemble Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, and Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, among others. Byrnes has done “motion-capture” work for animation companies in the United States and Sweden. His Society of American Fight Directors credentials include being a certified teacher, fight director, and fight master. He is also a director for theatre and opera, Actors Equity Association actor, and produced playwright. Byrnes is a full-time faculty member and associate professor with the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance.