Celebration Theatre announced a leadership shuffle Monday, bringing in two former executives to tag-team the role of artistic director.
Michael Matthews and Michael A. Shepperd have been brought in by the West Hollywood-based LGBT playhouse to share the role of artistic director as it heads into its 31st season. Matthews and Shepperd, both Ovation Award winners, have each held the role individually since the theater was founded in 1982.
John Michael Beck, who had been serving as artistic director, will shift over to a new role. Beck, who held the job from July 2011 to last December, will continue to serve as a board member and will remain responsible for the theater’s workshop program CT Tuesdays, which he created. Through that program Celebration has mounted full productions of “The Next Fairy Tale,” which premiered in 2011, and “Revolver,” which is set to premiere in late spring, according to a release.
Moreover, Michael O’Hara, a longtime volunteer, was promoted to managing director of the theater.
“These changes are going to ensure the high quality of work that has become the trademark of Celebration Theatre as we move into the 31st season and beyond,” Michael Kricfalusi, the theater’s executive director, said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have Michael Matthews and Michael Shepperd back and cannot thank John Michael Beck enough for his service.”
The theater’s next production is “Wolves,” a play by Steve Yockey, which will premiere in March.