6:12 P.M. - The Makeup Room (Part I)

By: Queena Kim, Russel Daniels

Jess Perry is the SF Opera's budget manager by day and in the evening, he's in the chorus.

"Singing is my first love," says Perry, whose first role in an opera was as a priest in Aida.

Perry says the most relaxing part of performance night is sitting in the make-up chair.

The most challenging part of tonight's performance? Not tripping in his costume, which has a hooped skirt. "You can't see your feet so the challenge is walking without falling down," Perry says.