September 13, 2018

Meet Michael Barnard of Phoenix Theatre in Downtown Phoenix

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Barnard.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started in the theatre when I was five years old and I played the title role in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I acted throughout my childhood, but I only performed at school. We didn’t have any community theaters or youth theaters around us back then. I was very lucky to go to a school with a flourishing drama department at the time, which is, sadly, something we don’t have as much of anymore. I wish it was.

On to university I went and got an undergraduate degree in Arts and Theatre, and a Masters degree in Directing. I started my own theatre company here in Phoenix back in 1975, and that flourished for a while. We weren’t the most business savvy, but people got to know who I was. During the course of my career, I was Phoenix Theatre’s first Production Manager as well as resident director and choreographer, back in the early 80s. I was the head of Theatre for the City of Phoenix and created the Third Street Theatre on Laurel and Third Street, then I went on to be the associate producer for what was once called Musical Theatre of Arizona.

I worked on a couple of national tours, and then I was picked up by Disney. I worked for them for nine years. I also worked the Asian Market for several years, with Universal Studios on Osaka, Japan.

All during that time I was very involved in theatrical events for charity, which has always been something that is important to me is giving back to the community. I helped start a thing called the Herberger Headliners, which was a big community-wide fundraiser for the arts, in particular the Herberger Theatre Center. That allowed me to get to know and meet so many people in the community outside of my field, which helped a great deal when I came back to Phoenix as the Artistic Director of Phoenix Theatre. After everywhere I’d been and everything I’d learned, I felt a need to reinvest in the community that I had grown up in. So, here I am.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My family was not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. We had to work really really hard to make ends meet. Nothing came easy to us and I understand what that means. I suffered from self-esteem issues, which is why I also think the arts are so important, because I know what it’s like to have low self esteem. The arts helped me believe in myself, though I did miss some opportunities along the way. There’s no regret, though. I am where I am because I was supposed to be. I believe that.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Phoenix Theatre – what should we know?
We are the largest producing regional theatre company in the Valley. Phoenix Theatre offers more programs and experiences than any other. With nearly 500 performances on multiple stages and thriving education and outreach programs, we inspire more than 100,000 citizens every year.

In terms of directing, I specialize in musical theatre. I’ve always been drawn to musicals, it’s what I’m known for. I love dance, I love singing, I love music, and I love dialogue. When you put all of those elements together in one, and it’s done well: it’s an extraordinary experience.

We try to be culturally diverse in our programming, we accept everyone no matter who they are, and we try to provide a healthy and transparent workplace. I care about our staff tremendously and I know all of our management does. I hope that shows in the way that we treat people and the way that we show others. We’re always being told by outside guest artists how well-run our company is and how kind our team is. That makes me very, very proud. We’re also making some great strides to getting known nationally, so I’m very proud of that, as well.

Every theatre I know has great integrity for their work. I think we take it a step further in how we conduct our business, how accepting we are of each other, and how willing we are to help each other.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Mike Davis (from Disney and Universal) , Gerri Lee Frye ( High School Drama Teacher and huge mentor), Todd Peterson ( former board chair of Phoenix Theatre and business mentor to me)

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