Michael Wilson
MICHAEL WILSON, Artistic Director, Hartford Stage: As part of the theatre's multi-year Tennessee Williams Marathon, he has directed The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Camino Real, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Night of the Iguana, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, and 8 By Tenn (which included the world premieres of The Palooka, Now the Cats with Jeweled Claws, and The One Exception with Amanda Plummer). Also by Tennessee Williams, he has directed Orpheus Descending, Clothes for a Summer Hotel, and the New York premiere of The Red Devil Battery Sign with Elizabeth Ashley. In 10 seasons as artistic director, Mr. Wilson has directed numerous productions for Hartford Stage, including the premieres of: Edward Albee's Peter and Jerry, Enchanted April (also Broadway, 2003 Best Play Tony nomination, 9 Outer Critics Circle nominations, including Best Director); Horton Foote's The Carpetbagger's Children (also Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater, American Theater Critics 2002 Best Play Award); David Grimm's The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue; and Eve Ensler's Necessary Targets (also Off-Broadway). His other productions include David Hare's The Bay at Nice with Estelle Parsons, Long Day's Journey Into Night with Ellen Burstyn, and Macbeth with Denis O'Hare. Under his leadership, Hartford Stage has focused on the development of new work-with fourteen world premieres, eight Brand:NEW festivals, six Broadway or Off-Broadway transfers-as well as the creation of the Hartford Courant's 2005-Tapestry award winning education and community outreach programs. Other directing includes: Off-Broadway: Horton Foote's The Day Emily Married (Primary Stages); Chris Shinn's What Didn't Happen (Playwrights Horizons); and Jane Anderson's Defying Gravity (Laura Pels Theatre). Resident: Alley (Associate Director, 1990-98), A.R.T., Berkeley Rep, Goodman, Guthrie, Long Wharf, NY Stage & Film, Philadelphia Theatre Co., among others. International: Angels in America Parts I & II, 1995 Venice Biennale. Awards: Daryl Roth 2002 Creative Spirit Award, Lincoln Center Theater; Princess Grace Foundation, 2001 Statue Award and 1992 Theatre fellowship; 2001 Elliot Norton Award; Edward Albee Foundation 1992 fellowship; and numerous awards from the Connecticut Critics Circle, including the 2005 Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Theatre. Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead scholar, 1987. Other: Mr. Wilson served on the board of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSD&C), on the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and was named the 2003 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Hartford Civitan Club. From 1990 to 2002, he was privileged to have as his stage manager the late Wendy Beaton, with whom he collaborated on over 17 productions in four American cities and in Venice. Bio as of October, 2007. American Theatre Wing programs, interviews and/or credits include: Working in the Theatre (video) Horton Foote's America - November, 2007 - Watch now. Artistic Directors - June, 2007 - Watch now. Downstage Center (audio) Michael Wilson - July, 2007 - Listen Now. Internet Broadway Database Listing (IBDB.com)