Toohey studied bassoon at Webster University in St. Louis and at Boston University, where he founded and managed the Boston University Chamber Orchestra.
He replaces executive director Gary Wortley, who resigned in September after a brief tenure.
Texas Ballet Theater is the resident classical ballet company of North Texas, performing at Fort Worth's Bass Performance Hall and Dallas' Music Hall at Fair Park. It will move to the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts when the hall opens in 2009.