Arizona Opera Cast Members & Creatives

Joshua Borths (he/him) is a nationally recognized stage director, writer, and dramaturg. Known for his creative, emotional, and insightful productions, Borths’s work has been lauded as “beautiful, even poetic.” (Opera Today)

Recently, Borths premiered a critically acclaimed production of The Flying Dutchman at Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO), starring Ryan McKinny and Julie Adams. The production “thrillingly met the substantial challenges of Wagner’s seminal work.” (Opera Today) Both his staging and character development was lauded with one reviewer noting that “in less capable hands, these characters might come across as one-dimensional, but Borths gave them depth that was refreshing but still true to Wagner’s vision.” (Little Village) Borths returns to Des Moines Metro Opera in 2026 to stage a new production of Puccini’s Tosca, starring Laura Wilde in the title role.

In addition to The Flying Dutchman, Borths recently directed new productions of Hansel and Gretel (Opera Montana); Three Decembers (Pensacola Opera); La Traviata (Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera); Béatrice et Bénédict, and Dialogues of the Carmelites (James Madison University). Upcoming projects include Borths’s international debut with Tosca (Calgary Opera), La Traviata (Arizona Opera), and Carmen (Madison Opera).

Borths is currently the Director of Opera Theatre at James Madison University (JMU), Company Dramaturg at DMMO, and Digital Preview Lecturer at Virginia Opera. In his role as Company Dramaturg at DMMO, Borths contributed to the company’s nomination for the International Opera Awards in 2024 (Best Festival). Previously, Borths served as the Resident Scholar at Virginia Opera; the Director of Opera & Musical Theater and Professor of Music History at Capital University in Columbus, OH; and as Director of Education & Resident Stage Director at Arizona Opera.

An active and engaging lecturer, Borths is regularly sought out by companies and opera fans alike. In addition to exponentially growing the prelude lectures at DMMO, Borths has given presentations at the Triangle Wagner Society, Wagner Society Manchester, with upcoming engagements at the Wagner Society of Scotland, Wagner Society of New York and Wagner Society of Southern California.

Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Borths holds undergraduate degrees in Musicology and Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Opera Direction from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Opera Production from Florida State University. Borths is represented by UIA Talent.