The Chairman, Fintan Warfield and the Board of The Civic are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Barker-Caven as the Artistic Director of The Civic. Michael’s appointment will be effective from May 2016. Michael will replace Bríd Dukes who is retiring from The Civic after a tenure of over 17 years since the theatre first opened.
Michael is an internationally acclaimed theatre, musical and opera director who has worked extensively in London’s West End and directed dozens of award-winning shows in Ireland over the past 20 years. He was the Artistic Director of the Everyman Theatre, Cork from 2011 – 2014 and prior to this was the Artistic Director of Theatreworks/Ouroboros Theatre Company from 1995 – 2004. Career highlights to date include Shadowlands, Wyndhams Theatre & The Novello Theatre, London West End, Medea for Glimmerglass Opera, in New York, a number of acclaimed productions for Landmark Productions including Skylight by David Hare and Dandelions by Fiona Looney, Little Women for the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Moll by John B Keane at the Gaiety, and The Bloody Irish! for PBS TV in the US. Most recently Michael directed the opera The Barber of Seville for Wide Open Theatre Company at the National Opera House, Wexford and Bord Gáis Theatre, Dublin.
Commenting on his appointment, Michael said, “Thanks to the remarkable sure hands of Bríd Dukes, The Civic has become pivotal to what is a thriving arts scene in Tallaght. It is one of the most important receiving and producing theatres in the city and I am honoured to be only its second director in 17 years. I very much look forward to working with all the staff, board and stake holders to ensure an equally vibrant and successful future.”
Bríd Dukes added her congratulations, “I am thrilled to be handing over to such a consummate professional with an extraordinary depth and strength of experience of the stage in all its forms. I wish him the best of success.”
Announcing Michael’s appointment, Civic Theatre Board Member, Billy Coman said, “The Board welcomes Michael to the role of Artistic Director of The Civic and look forward to working with him in the continued success of the Theatre. We look forward to assisting Michael in the development and fruition of his vision.”
For press inquiries please contact Niamh Honer, Marketing & Audience Development Manager / niamh.honer@civictheatre.ie / 01 4627460 / 087 935 8055
