Saying Farewell to Managing Director Mike Stotts

By Theresa M. MacNaughton, Communications & Community Engagement Associate

Hartford Stage said farewell to Managing Director Mike Stotts on January 25 with an all-staff luncheon at the theatre and an evening celebration with board members, friends and community leaders at The Society Room. Stotts, who will assume the role of Managing Director for Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, will provide consultation for Hartford Stage until his replacement is named.

“It has been my great privilege to have led Hartford Stage these past twelve years with such extraordinary directors and partners, Darko Tresnjak and Michael Wilson,” Stotts said. “I am most proud of the accomplished artistic work we have produced here in Hartford, much of which has had a life beyond our stage. I am equally proud of our work in the Greater Hartford community with our extensive education and community outreach programs. I have enormous respect for our talented staff, and great appreciation for our dedicated board of directors – leaving them will be difficult.”

Stotts has served as Hartford Stage’s Managing Director for the past 12 years — overseeing finance, development, marketing and operations for the institution. During this time, he oversaw campaigns to expand and fully renovate the Stage’s theatre venue. Just the seventh managing director in the company’s 55-year history, Stotts co-led Hartford Stage first with Artistic Director Michael Wilson and then with Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak. During Stotts’ tenure, Hartford Stage has produced an array of critically-acclaimed revivals of the classics and new work and also become the leading provider of theatre education programs in Connecticut, serving more than 21,000 students annually.

All photos by Defining Studios.