I am the Managing Artistic Director as well as a co-founder of Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo, MI. Farmers Alley is a professional AEA SPT (Actors’ Equity Association, Small Professional Theatre) which opened its doors in October 2008. I have been the Artistic Director since its inception. Our mission is to create a theatrical product that entertains while inspiring, educating, and communicating with audiences to reflect on the diverse human experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with hundreds of artists from Kalamazoo and across the country: directors, crew members, designers, actors, stage managers, musicians, volunteers and more. Connecting so many unique and creative humans is my favorite part of working and playing in this industry. I have to give credit to the co-founders of Farmers Alley and all the original Board members who helped build the organization and make it successful. Special shout out to Kathy Mulay who is an incredible director and has been a mentor to me.
Farmers Alley has earned a stellar local and statewide reputation which includes nearly 100 Wilde Award nominations over the years including almost 20 wins as well as a “Critic’s Choice Award” in 2015 by the Wilde Award committee in recognition of the theatre’s consistent high quality and commitment to theatrical excellence. The Wilde Awards honor the best productions, performances and technical work produced or presented by professional theaters across the state of Michigan.
For fourteen full seasons, I have helped Farmers Alley Theatre bring an eclectic mix of established beloved classics, provocative contemporary works, and regional premieres to the stage. As a result of the theatre’s standards of excellence and the positive relationships with artists throughout the national theatrical community, the reputation of Kalamazoo as an arts-rich community has been enhanced across the United States.