Michael\'s passionate interest is finding ways for higher education in the arts to remain relevant in a 21st century environment and to move the arts forward. He has been deeply involved in creating bridges for students to employment and to that end, has fostered many connections to the professional world for students. He works closely with faculty to insure those links are vital and giving our students the best chance for successful careers. \n\nHis professional passion has been stage directing. First in Opera and then in musical theatre and drama/comedy, Michael has directed Shakespeare and other classics, many contemporary plays, avant-garde theatre and musicals. He loves the classic musicals but also has directed many contemporary musicals, understanding that the future of musical theater lays in our ability to reflect the culture we live in and to discover new and exciting ways to tell stories through music.
