Emily Barber (she/her) is a people-first opera administrator currently serving as Director of Production at Central City Opera, a Colorado-based professional company known for its competitive and robust summer training program. Previously, Emily held roles as Interim Director of Production at New Orleans Opera Association and Director of Production at On Site Opera, a New York City-based company dedicated to site-specific productions in non-traditional venues.

In her work, Emily has led multiple production departments through new works and traditional operatic repertoire, often reimagining how spaces are used and enhancing existing infrastructure to create welcoming, dynamic environments for audiences, artists, technicians, and productions alike.

In addition to her administrative roles and ongoing freelance stage management across the country, Emily is a 2025 graduate of the OPERA America Leadership Intensive and has spoken on panels at OPERA America Conferences. She also pioneered the Stage Management Intern Program at New Orleans Opera, which focused on providing BIPOC individuals with technical theater experience in the greater New Orleans area.

Emily has received training in Intimacy Direction for Stage Management from Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC), stage combat, CPR & first aid, Vectorworks & AutoCAD. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Loyola University New Orleans, her hometown.