Mark Ross Clark began his directing career as a university director of opera in 1988 - responsible for producing and directing productions and teaching opera workshop classes. As his university career unfolded, more courses in teaching the history of opera and musical theatre were added, as well as teaching beginning and advanced acting and directing as well. He expanded his opera directing repertoire to include operetta, musical theatre, as well as plays, totaling over 100 works. He has experience in his career as Artistic Director of professional regional opera companies (Stockton Opera-CA/Louisiana Opera) as well as guest director in regional opera companies (Roanoke-VA Opera, Cedar Rapids-IA Opera, Festival Opera-Walnut Creek, CA) and international sites (Opera Bellem in Brazil, Dorset Opera in the UK, National Theatre in Taipei, Taiwan). He also directs in the young artist program: Chicago Summer Opera each year, and was the director of the Astoria Young Artist Program in Oregon for three summers.