Susan Benefield RiceMusic · Theatre · Education
A life in pictures

Gallery.

Onstage, backstage, and along the way. Select any photograph to see it larger.

OnstageIn concertBackstage & communityPortraits

Onstage

Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd · TMCC Performing Arts · 2008. Restored archival photograph.
Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd · TMCC Performing Arts · 2008. Restored archival photograph.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee · Rona Lisa Peretti · Altarena Playhouse
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee · Rona Lisa Peretti · Altarena Playhouse
Three women in colorful skirts and corsets sit on a tavern table, singing, as a man in a feathered green hat leans in behind them.
Carmen · Mercedes · Nevada Opera · 2009
Photo: Stuart Murtland
Two women in long red skirts kneel by a campfire, one holding up a tarot card, with more cards spread on the floor.
Carmen · Mercedes · Nevada Opera · 2009
Photo: Stuart Murtland
Five singers in Spanish peasant costume perform together on a tavern set, three women and two men.
Carmen · Mercedes · Nevada Opera · 2009
Photo: Stuart Murtland
Love Police, staged as a comic homage to Reno 911! · Orpheus in the Underworld · Venus · Nevada Opera · 2007
Love Police, staged as a comic homage to Reno 911! · Orpheus in the Underworld · Venus · Nevada Opera · 2007
Photo: Stuart Murtland

In concert

The newly formed Polaris Chamber Choir, 2025
The newly formed Polaris Chamber Choir, 2025
Conducting the orchestra for Next to Normal, 2026
Conducting the orchestra for Next to Normal, 2026
Soloists for Messiah with Northland Choral Arts, 2025
Soloists for Messiah with Northland Choral Arts, 2025
Photo: Jaunelle Celaire
Singing with the San Francisco Yuletide Carolers at the Aquarium, 2014
Singing with the San Francisco Yuletide Carolers at the Aquarium, 2014
Bach’s St. Matthew Passion · Mezzo-soprano soloist · Toccata Orchestra of Lake Tahoe · 2009. Susan is at the far right.
Bach’s St. Matthew Passion · Mezzo-soprano soloist · Toccata Orchestra of Lake Tahoe · 2009. Susan is at the far right.
Photo: Roger Weld

Backstage & community

FSAF Gospel Choir reception, 2025
FSAF Gospel Choir reception, 2025
The Annual Holiday Dinner at Northern Arizona University with my son, 2016
The Annual Holiday Dinner at Northern Arizona University with my son, 2016
At the HIPOW Gala to benefit Monroe Catholic Schools, 2026
At the HIPOW Gala to benefit Monroe Catholic Schools, 2026
Pitching for KUAC, 2026
Pitching for KUAC, 2026
Volunteering for Junior Achievement of Alaska, 2026
Volunteering for Junior Achievement of Alaska, 2026
Fabulous Feminist Fundraiser, 2025
Fabulous Feminist Fundraiser, 2025
Charles Wright Academy Gala, 2023
Charles Wright Academy Gala, 2023
Holiday Reading, 2015
Holiday Reading, 2015
Palm Valley Gala, 2017
Palm Valley Gala, 2017
Cathedral School for Boys Gala, 2013
Cathedral School for Boys Gala, 2013
Leading a school assembly, Palm Valley School, 2018
Leading a school assembly, Palm Valley School, 2018
In the new FSAF offices at the Elbow Room with my fourth-grade teacher, Kathe Baker
In the new FSAF offices at the Elbow Room with my fourth-grade teacher, Kathe Baker
Labor Day March, “Red for Ed,” alongside former FSAF Board Member Don Gray, 2024
Labor Day March, “Red for Ed,” alongside former FSAF Board Member Don Gray, 2024
EdD students in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California, 2022
EdD students in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California, 2022
Backstage running tech at Mean Girls, 2025
Backstage running tech at Mean Girls, 2025
On the air with Jameka Lache Horton at KSUA, 2025
On the air with Jameka Lache Horton at KSUA, 2025
With the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Board of Directors, 2025
With the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Board of Directors, 2025
At the BCDC Gala, 2024
At the BCDC Gala, 2024
Ringing the bell to support others in need for The Salvation Army, 2025
Ringing the bell to support others in need for The Salvation Army, 2025
Volunteering at the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation Gala
Volunteering at the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation Gala
FSAF presentation at College Rotary · 2026
FSAF presentation at College Rotary · 2026
Downtown Rotary with FSAF Opera and Musical Theater faculty · 2026
Downtown Rotary with FSAF Opera and Musical Theater faculty · 2026
With FSAF co-founder Jo Ryman Scott at an outdoor concert · Summer 2026
With FSAF co-founder Jo Ryman Scott at an outdoor concert · Summer 2026
FSAF Opera and Musical Theater reception · Summer 2026
FSAF Opera and Musical Theater reception · Summer 2026
FSAF donation to the Literacy Council of Alaska
FSAF donation to the Literacy Council of Alaska
Backstage at Moriarty · Fairbanks Drama Association · 2026
Backstage at Moriarty · Fairbanks Drama Association · 2026
With former FSAF Dance Faculty, Pam Kinney Burlingame, 2025
With former FSAF Dance Faculty, Pam Kinney Burlingame, 2025
The Cast of Urinetown, Brewery Arts Center, 2009
The Cast of Urinetown, Brewery Arts Center, 2009
Nunsensations cast, Brewery Arts Center, 2010
Nunsensations cast, Brewery Arts Center, 2010

Portraits through the years

Headshot of Susan Benefield Rice
Headshot
Photo: Ethan Kaminsky
With my husband and daughter, Wright Park, WA, 2021
With my husband and daughter, Wright Park, WA, 2021
An earlier career portrait in green
An earlier career portrait in green
Photo: Jeff Singer
An earlier career portrait in blue
An earlier career portrait in blue
Photo: Jeff Singer
My VISION feature in Palm Springs Life magazine, 2016
My VISION feature in Palm Springs Life magazine, 2016
In my office at Charles Wright Academy, 2022
In my office at Charles Wright Academy, 2022
Susan Benefield Rice
Susan Benefield Rice
Photo: Jaunelle Celaire
An earlier full-length portrait
An earlier full-length portrait
Photo: Joy Strotz Photography, Lake Tahoe
A personal portrait
A personal portrait
Photo: Susan Benefield Rice