Following several years as a professional singer and teaching stints at the internationally acclaimed Actors Studio Drama School and American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Alan E. Hicks turned his attention to stage direction winning awards and garnering praise from critics and audiences alike. His work has been described as “resplendent,” “5 stars,” “powerful and deeply moving,” “imaginatively directed,” “absolutely brilliant,” “gorgeous,” and “real magic." He has directed productions for organizations throughout the United States and Europe including Minnesota Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Opernfest Berlin, Franco-American Vocal Academy in Salzburg, and Music Academy International in Italy. Alan has also served on the directing staffs of Central City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Michigan Opera Theatre, New York City Opera, San Diego Opera, Seattle Opera, and Tulsa Opera. In 2013, he was appointed Director of the Emerging Artist Program at Green Mountain Opera Festival, a position he held until the company's closing in 2015. Recent engagements include Tosca, Aida, When I See Your Face Again (for which he also wrote the script), and All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 for San Diego Opera, Ariadne auf Naxos for Minnesota Opera, L’Elisir d’Amore for Opera Santa Barbara, La Clemenza di Tito for Music Academy International, Albert Herring at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, L'Amico Fritz and L'Italiana in Algeri for the Moores Opera Center at the University of Houston, Die Zauberflöte for Shenandoah Conservatory, and The Turn of the Screw for the Miami Music Festival. In addition to his work alongside such venerable operatic performers as Stephanie Blythe, Renée Fleming, Greer Grimsley, Kate Lindsey, Silvia McNair, Erin Morley, Marcelo Puente, Frederica von Stade, Carl Tanner, and Thomas Hampson as well as rising stars Michelle Bradley, Samantha Hankey, Brenda Rae, Hannah Hipp, Brian Jagde, Pene Pati, Amber Wagner, and Nadine Sierra, Alan has assisted renowned opera directors Michael Cavanagh, Chris Alexander, Linda Brovsky, Jay Lesenger, Matthew Ozawa, Peter Kazaras, and Broadway veterans Susan Stroman and Sam Buntrock. Of Costa Rican-American descent, Alan holds degrees in Music Education, Vocal Performance, and Opera Directing from Mississippi State University, Rice University, and The University of Texas at Austin (respectively). Alan is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), served as a SoCal area committee member from 2021-2023, and now serves on the Southern Central Committee. He is also a former member (in good standing) of Actors' Equity Association (AEA).