BIOGRAPHY
As a renowned African-American Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt has brought critical acclaim and National attention to Adventure Theatre MTC, where he has held his title as Artistic Director since 2007. He has grown the organizational budget to more than $2.6M from $450,000 and expanded the patron base more than 200% from 15,000 to more than 40,000. He oversaw a steady pattern of growth that included significant expansion of the company's programs and its evolution from a small volunteer run children’s theatre to one of the most respected theatre/training companies in the DC region, as well as one of the nation's most influential professional children’s theatres.
Some of the highlights include, a merger with Musical Theatre Center, commissioning over 40 new works by noted playwrights which have gone on to publishing deals and numerous subsequent productions, transferring two shows Off-Broadway, building an academy that boasts nearly 30 students, being cast annually in professional theatre and media, pioneering sensory-friendly performances, garnering nearly 60 Helen Hayes Award Nominations and 7 wins, and winning numerous local and national awards.
Additionally, he has directed and choreographed at DC’s top theatres including Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Center Stage, Roundhouse Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Opera. His national and international credits include the NY Musical Theatre Festival, Mel Tillis 2001, La Jolla Playhouse, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Jefferson Performing Arts Center, and the Olympics. He has taught theater and dance at George Washington University, Catholic University, Howard University, and the Washington Ballet.
As a writer, Michael’s work has been accepted into the NYC International Fringe Festival and The New York and Musical Theatre Festival. He has two plays published by Rogers and Hammerstein Theatricals - Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (nominated for Helen Hayes’ Charles MacArthur Award) and Garfield, the Musical with Cattitude (written with creator Jim Davis). Other noted plays include Jumanji (Helen Hayes Nomination), The Stephen Schwartz Project, Blueberries for Sal, Caps for Sale, Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings, The Yellow Rose of Texas, and Mirandy and Brother Wind.
In addition to his professional activities, Michael is very active in the community hosting and emceeing numerous events and testifying at state and local governments concerning arts policy, legislation and public sector funding. He has served on numerous local and National boards and committees including League of Washington Theatre (President), Theatre for Young Audiences, American Alliance for Theatre and Education, and theatreWashington.
Michael has served on numerous grants panels for The National Endowment for the Arts, The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Maryland State Arts Council. He has been a respondent and panelist for many conferences, summits and festivals including the Cohen New Works Festival at the University of Texas, The Junior Theatre Festival, the South Eastern Theatre Conference and the International Performing Arts for Youth Conference.
He received his leadership training at the Harvard Business School’s - Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program, National Training Laboratories and participated in respected programs including, Leadership Montgomery, Financial Reporting and Management Institute: Nonprofit Roundtable, Theatre Leadership Institute: American Alliance for Theatre and Education.
He is the proud the recipient of the Excel Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the County Executive’s Excellence in the Arts and Humanities – Emerging Leader Award and Maryland Theatre Guide’s Person of the Year Award.