In this episode Vida and Nathaniel discuss where to begin when deconstructing the old theatrical model. Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, walks them through how he believes artists are the ones to begin the work. They talk fundraising, non-profit boards, and how to hold companies accountable to the “purpose.” – The work begins now.
Michael J. Bobbitt is an award-winning theater director, choreographer, and playwright who has dedicated his professional career to arts leadership. He began his tenure as Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council in February 2021 and is the highest-ranking cultural official in Massachusetts. Bobbitt serves on the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Board of Directors, the National Assembly of State Arts Agency’s (NASAA) Board of Directors, and was selected for artEquity’s BIPOC Leadership Circle. He is the former Artistic Director of the New Repertory Theater in Watertown, Massachusetts and the Adventure Theater in Maryland. Bobbitt gained extensive experience in nonprofit arts management by training at Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program, and Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program. As a director and choreographer he has worked nationally and internationally. As a writer his plays have been published by Concord Theatricals, Broadway Publishing, and Plays for Young Audiences. Bobbitt is the recipient of the Excel Leadership Award (Center for Nonprofit Advancement), the Emerging Leader Award (County Executive’s Excellence in the Arts and Humanities), and Person of the Year Award (Maryland Theatre Guide), along with eight Helen Hayes Awards.
Facebook – Michael J. Bobbitt
Twitter - @mbobbitt
IG - @michaeljamesbobbitt
https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/racial-equity-plan-launched/ - Racial Equity Plan
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Community Shoutout and News –
Live Arts - Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau Jan 14th -30th in Charlottesville
@ livearts
Writers Den at the new Brewers Cafe Location !
Virtual All through January - open mic night
@ thewritersdenrva
@ roscoeburnems – Richmond’s first Poet Laureate
@brewerscafe
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This podcast is produced, edited, and directed by Hannah Sikora and Kaelen Williams.
Theme music by Julian Evans www.julianevans.info