Michael Rader

• Open Call Lab

Michael Rader is a director and producer based in New York City who made his mark internationally as an Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil. Since then, his diverse career has included serving as the Executive Producer for Theatre Aspen and the Producing Artistic Director for the historic Cape Playhouse where he was celebrated for leading the organization through a significant renaissance and securing the theatre’s position in the American Theatre landscape. Select highlights as a director or associate include: The Exhibitionist(Winner, Solo Flights Festival), A Christmas Story; The Musical (National Tour), Stalking The Bogeyman(NYTimes Critics Pick, Outer Critics Circle Nomination), Varekai (Cirque Du Soleil), and productions with Sacramento Music Circus, The ZACH Theatre, The Cape Playhouse, Theatre Aspen, 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”. Additional producing highlights include, The Guys with William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman, Master Class starring Phylicia Rashad, Steel Magnolias with Judy Kuhn and Mary Testa, and Noises Off with Heidi Gardner. He is a graduate of Wright State University, the esteemed Actors Studio MFA Directing Program, an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab and a proud member of SDC.  www.michaelrader.com