WESTPORT, CONN.: Westport Country Playhouse has announced that Michael Barker will be the company’s new managing director. He will join the theatre in early September. Barker comes from Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley, Calif., where he served as managing director.

“I’m thrilled that Michael Barker will be coming to the Playhouse to partner with me as managing director,” said artistic director Mark Lamos. “His leadership skills, his business acumen, and his inspired support for theatre artists and their communities convinced the trustees of our search committee and me that he would be the perfect person to build a bridge to the future of this historic Playhouse.”

Before his time at Marin Theatre Company, Barker served as general manager of Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, Calif., and as managing director of the Antaeus Company in Los Angeles. Prior to his move to California, Barker was associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre and managing director of Yale Summer Cabaret. He holds an MFA in theatre management from Yale School of Drama.

“I have been privileged through this search process to get to know Mark Lamos, the board of directors, staff, and members of the Playhouse’s extended family,” said Barker in a statement. “My family and I are excited to join this community, and I am eager to work with Mark and the entire team to accomplish great things going forward.”