Laguna Playhouse Names Michael Barker Associate Managing Director

The Laguna Playhouse has named Michael Barker as Associate Managing Director, a recent addition to the leadership team of the venerable institution. Mr. Barker joined The Playhouse staff in July after serving as Managing Director for The Antaeus Company in North Hollywood. He holds an MFA in theater management from Yale School of Drama and an MBA from Yale School of Management.

Executive Director, Karen Wood offers "Michael has a business acumen that one would be hard pressed to duplicate, a passion for the theatre and he is eager to collaborate with the community. His skill set and dedication are a beautiful fit with the mission and goals of the Laguna Playhouse and I am delighted to welcome him."

Before moving to California, Michael was Associate Managing Director at Yale Repertory Theatre, Managing Director of Yale Summer Cabaret, and produced the third annual Carlotta Festival of New Plays. He was the 2008 Managing Director Fellow at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Prior to graduate school, he was Associate Director of Marketing for Court Theatre, producing classics in residence at the University of Chicago. Also in Chicago, he worked with The Goodman Theatre, American Theater Company, Sansculottes Theater Company, and The Playground Theater. Michael lives in Long Beach with his wife Heidi, a costume designer working in television and film.

For more information, visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.