In this episode of NEW@NAMT: Arts Leaders, we speak with Michael Baxter, Associate Artistic Director at The Muny, America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey explore Michael’s unique journey from performer to choreographer to leader at one of the most iconic stages in the country.
🎙️ Michael opens up about what it means to program a season at such an enormous scale, what makes The Muny a singular theatrical experience, and why casting is about so much more than talent.
✨ We also talk about his work expanding the Muny Teens program, his love of mentorship, and how his role on NAMT’s Festival Committee helps bridge the gap between emerging work and established institutions.
Plus: reflections on staging Come From Away under the stars, what keeps him hopeful about the future of musicals, and the revival he’s dying to see.
Whether you’re looking for insight into casting, programming, or regional leadership in musical theatre, this conversation is a must-listen.
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