Stotts — who has recently served as a planning consultant for Hartford Stage and New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse — previously held the position of managing director for New Jersey's Shakespeare Theatre, George Street Playhouse, and Connecticut's Long Wharf Theatre.
"I am thrilled to welcome Michael Stotts to Hartford Stage," said Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson. "He is young, and at the same time, among the most experienced managing directors in the country. His energy and talent are a major boon for Hartford Stage, and the Greater Hartford community."
"I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with Michael, whose work I have admired since his arrival at Hartford Stage, board president Jennifer Smith Turner, and a dedicated and loyal board of directors and staff in advancing the theatre to its next level of artistic achievement, fiscal stability and thriving long-term success.”
Stotts, the company's seventh managing director in its 43-year history, will be "overseeing the areas of finance, administration, marketing, development, customer service and operations for the institution with an annual budget of approximately $8 million," according to a release. He assumes the post with a five-year contract.
His professional career began as Company Manager for Manhattan Theatre Club in 1986 prior to his work as Managing Director for the Shakespeare Theatre and the George Street Playhouse. During his tenure at Long Wharf Theatre, he saw many world premiere productions including plays by Paula Vogel and Craig Lucas, one Broadway transfer (Sixteen Wounded), two Off-Broadway productions (BFE and Fran's Bed) and the introduction of collaborating with Hartford Stage, allowing for production exchanges. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Stotts holds a B.A. in Economics and Drama from Queen’s University as well as an M.F.A. in Theatre Management from Columbia University. He is a co-founder and the President of the Connecticut Arts Alliance and a member of the University of New Haven Theatre Advisory Council.
Hartford Stage located at 50 Church Street in Hartford, CT is on the web at www.hartfordstage.org.
