LAHS alum Paul Horpedahl and Smith Auditorium Manager Ryan Daly during a recent presentation for technical theater classes at LAHS. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation
LAPS Foundation News:
The Technical Theater classes at Los Alamos High School (LAHS) were recently visited by Paul Horpedahl, former director of production and facilities at The Santa Fe Opera. He is seen here sharing images of productions from their past seasons. Horpedahl graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1975.
In addition to discussing production work at The Santa Fe Opera, Horpedahl also spoke to the lighting class about LED technology and its impact on theatrical productions. He also spent the morning with Duane Smith Auditorium Manager Ryan Daly determining what kind of LED lighting equipment could best serve the needs of productions on that stage.
Horpedahl’s career has spanned 40+ years, primarily in opera. In addition to his 33 seasons with Santa Fe, he has worked at The Juilliard School, San Francisco Opera and Skylight Opera Theatre. Since leaving Santa Fe in 2019, he has been consulting with a number of opera companies coast to coast and has filled leadership roles at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington Ballet and Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center where he is serving as acting director of artistic and production operations.
Horpedahl also is working with LAHS Alum Jock Mills on a campaign to name the stage at the Duane Smith Auditorium for the founders of the Olions, Ross and Lola Ramsey. Their “Light the Stage for The Ramseys” campaign is working toward naming the stage, giving a gift of lighting equipment to the backstage operations and, finally, to fund a scholarship based on participation, in part, in the Olions program. The fund has a lead challenge gift of $20,000 from alum Peg Watt Larson and her husband Paul, and is being managed by Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (LAPS Foundation) with assistance from Executive Director Jenny McCumber.
For information on how to participate with a tax-deductible gift, contact the Foundation or go to lapsfoundation.com.
About LAPS Foundation
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that helps the local community provide an extraordinary education for Los Alamos students. Los Alamos has given over $2 million to fund opportunities students and teachers would not have otherwise. To learn more about LAPS Foundation and how to get involved and/or make a donation, visit lapsfoundation.com or call 505.500.6501. Donations to LAPS Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization, are tax-deductible.