Michael Rader

Experience

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  Freelance

  Jan 2000 - now

  Stage Director

  Select highlights as a director or associate include: A Christmas Story; The Musical (National Tour), Stalking The Bogeyman (NYTimes Critics Pick, Outer Critics Circle Nomination), Varekai (Cirque Du Soleil), The Testament of Mary, Deep Love (NYMF 2015), A Christmas Carol (National Tour), Mandela! with Norm Lewis, You are Not Alone with Betty Buckley and Lea DeLaria, and productions with Sacramento Music Circus, The ZACH Theatre, The York Theatre Company, The Actors Studio Repertory Theatre, The Human Race Theatre, The Dramatist Guild, The Huron Playhouse, The Forestburgh Playhouse, Joe's Pub and the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway benefit production of William Finn's Elegies: A Song Cycle. Michael's direction of the show, benefiting marriage equality, was acclaimed as "…profound and visionary". Show less

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  The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  Entertainment Director
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  Cirque du Soleil

  Jan 2009 - Sept 2009

  Artistic Director

  Ensured effective end-to-end management of schedule for substantial international touring production. Managed and monitored a $10million annual budget. Negotiated all contract renewals for artistic staff to drive mutual benefits. Delivered top-level sport in integrating process of new employees. Ensured adherence to the highest possible artistic standards for the production. Optimized and improved performance and oversaw artistic, production, costume, stage management, and physical therapy departments. Steered and regulated daily general, artistic, and acrobatic operations of the performers; drove the alignment of the artistic team, including coaches, physiotherapists, stage management and the support staff with set objectives. Led and monitored daily coaching sessions with performers and weekly rehearsals with the full company. Trained and mentored a multifaceted team of 120 individuals, comprised of sixteen different nationalities. Show less

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  A Christmas Story National Tour

  Jan 2015 - now

  Tour Director

  Assumed the position of Resident Director and successfully managed and upheld all artistic elements of the Broadway National Tour. Managed and coordinated artistic staff including twelve children as well as a full cast of adults and musicians. Governed overall aspects of the show on a regular basis and all understudy rehearsals. Planned and managed all press events and special appearances. Convened weekly production meetings to track the performance of several functions associated with production in close collaboration with Production Manager and Technical Director. Show less

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  ArtsConnection

  Jan 2015 - Jul 2016

  Teaching Artist and Broadway Liaison to NY Department of Education

  Established and nourished mutually beneficial relationships, facilitated communication, and coordinated activities between Broadway community and the Department of Education. Sparked and led healthy discussions on arts integration and curriculum development for NYC public schools. Facilitated and oversaw programming in performing, visual, and media arts. Crafted sustainable theater programing and curriculums within school system.

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  The Cape Playhouse

  Jul 2016 - Mar 2021

  Producing Artistic Director

  Delivered high-level artistic leadership resulting in a robust revitalization, stabilization of operations and securement of future of historic and nationally recognized institution. Designed significant advancements in production quality and programming type, resulting in artistic excellence. Devised and initiated new programming with the aim of supporting the development of new plays and musicals. Implemented innovative cost-effective approaches while creating annual artistic budget for organization to meet financial obligations. Fostered strategic partnerships with other regional theatres to co-produce and share productions. Contracted, negotiated and supervised an annual production and creative staff of over 150 individuals to enhance work efficiencies. Led master planning and capital campaign initiatives in preparation for the centennial anniversary. Directed numerous productions, each resulting in box-office records and strong critical praise. Negotiated new collective bargaining agreements with AEA, SDC, and USA. Show less

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  Theatre Aspen

  Jan 2022 - Jan 2024

  Executive Producer

  Engaged by Jed Bernstein, former President of Lincoln Center, to serve as his producing partner for Theatre Aspen’s 2022 and 2023 Seasons, including the 40th Anniversary of the theatre. Chief responsibilities include development and management of a $5 million annual budget, engagement of all production staff and artists, management of artistic, development, marketing and education departments. Instrumental in spearheading the theatre's restructuring and cultivating short and long-term plans to ensure the theatre's continued success. Tasked with implementing, structuring and assuming responsibility for all arts education curriculum within the Aspen Public Schools. Show less