Michael J. Bobbitt, MBA is an award-winning theatre artist, cultural strategist, and public leader who will become President & CEO of OPERA America on January 1, 2026, succeeding Marc A. Scorca. His appointment follows a transformative tenure as Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, where he led the agency’s first statewide equity plans; launched the nation’s first arts-based social prescribing program; and oversaw distribution of more than $60 million in pandemic relief funding.

A published playwright, director, and choreographer, Bobbitt’s creative portfolio includes Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (New Victory Theater & national tour), Caps for Sale (New Victory Theater & national tour), Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude, Jumanji, Make Way for Ducklings, Big the Musical (TYA), The Stephen Schwartz Project, The Yellow Rose of Texas, and Monster Mash, the Musical. His work has earned multiple Helen Hayes nominations, including a Charles MacArthur Award nomination for Outstanding New Play or Musical. His directing and choreography credits span Washington National Opera, National Philharmonic, Ford’s Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, Studio Theatre, Singapore Repertory Theatre, and others.

Bobbitt is a committed field leader in executive searches, strategic planning, arts-policy innovation, and DEI consulting, serving on more than 25 boards and councils nationwide. His honors include a Doctor of Fine Arts (honoris causa), the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, Boston Business Journal “Power 50,” and election to the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.

A former trumpet and voice major, Bobbitt trained in theatre at CAP21 (NYU Tisch) and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and in dance at The Washington Ballet. He holds an MBA in Arts Innovation, a BA summa cum laude in Interdisciplinary Studies (Art & Social Change), and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, and National Arts Strategies’ Chief Executive Program, along with advanced certificates in finance, fundraising, leadership, DEI, and public policy.