Staff & Board : Michael Thomas
Artistic Director
Phone: 419-522-2726 Ext. 249
Email: michael@mansfieldtickets.com
Michael Thomas is a screenwriter, playwright, actor, director and musical director who divides his time between New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and London, and is currently the Artistic Director of the Renaissance Theatre. Originally from New London, he attended Wright State University before heading off to Chicago where he became a member of the famed Second City comedy troupe. His original works for the stage include Hamlet: The Musical, (which ran for seven years in Chicago), The Loved One, Melancholy Baby, Jane Austin's Nonsense and Imbecility, and the upcoming The Unforgettable Marvelenes and Remember Me Always: High School Yearbook 1977, which will debut this season at the Ren. His original musical revue, Sentimental Journey: Voices of World War II celebrated its world premiere at the Renaissance Theatre last season and will return this November in honor of Veteran's Day. He has musically directed over 30 shows, including the national tours of Once on this Island and The Secret Garden. His film and television credits include Wall-E, Shrek II, Shark Tale, HBO's Tracey Takes On, Saturday Night Live and the critically acclaimed 30 Rock. He has received three of Chicago's coveted Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work, including With or Without Wings, which was named "Best New Play of 2001". 30 Rock received the 2007 and 2008 Emmy and Golden Globe Award for best comedy series, and this past month it garnered a staggering 22 2009 Emmy nominations. Michael is happy to be back in Mansfield, where he began his performing career 30 years ago at the Mansfield Playhouse. He would like to thank this talented cast and crew and the wonderful team at the Ren.
