My Other Life: Opera Supernumerary Kimberly Thompson

Although she considers beautifying and educating the public on nail care her mission in life, nail technician Kimberly Thompson says that if she had the voice, she would have chosen a singing career. Still, she’s had an opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with some of opera’s great luminaries. In addition to owning Heads First Salon in San Francisco and heading the manicuring department at The Lodge at Skylonda in Woodside, Calif., Thompson works as a supernumerary for the San Francisco Opera, which means she dons exotic costumes and heavy stage makeup to perform acting-only roles. “It’s the people skills I learned as a manicurist that turned me into a real stage ham,” she says. “Many of my clients are opera supporters and will rearrange their standing appointments to allow me rehearsal or performance time. As with my manicure business, opera is a great way to meet interesting people.”