PASADENA, CALIF.: A Noise Within (ANW) has announced that Michael Bateman will end his tenure as managing director after nine years in the role. He will be succeeded by ANW’s former interim director of development, Maryellen Gleason, who will serve as interim managing director. A Noise Within plans to conduct a national search to fill Bateman’s position, with more details to be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are unbelievably fortunate to have had Michael by our side for the past nine years,” said producing artistic directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott in a joint statement. “He has been an invaluable asset to the organization and a great thought partner to the two of us. His commitment to creating theatre that centers the art, and all who participate in making it both onstage and off-, has been a gift to us. We are a better organization because of his contribution and now look forward to ANW’s next phase.”
During his tenure, Bateman helped expand ANW’s budget of $1.6 million to over $3.7 million in the 2022-23 season. He further supported the organization’s financial stability through growing cash reserves, retiring its debt, navigating pandemic relief programs, and establishing an endowment for the organization’s expansive education program. Bateman guided the theatre’s pursuit of greater equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism practices, known as EDIA. In addition, Bateman helped produce over 60 mainstage productions and dozens of additional community events, including playing a central role in envisioning and establishing ANW’s Noise Now program, which expanded programming to include dance, music, art installations, non-traditional theatre, and more.
“I feel tremendous gratitude for the opportunity I have had to contribute to A Noise Within’s
meaningful and deeply impactful mission,” said Bateman in a statement. “After almost a decade of wonderful partnership with Geoff and Julia, artists, staff, board, teaching artists, and our community, it was a sad but healthy decision for me to leave the organization as I look forward to digging deeper into some of my other passions. ANW is an extraordinary community that produces stunning plays, introduces new generations to theatre, and is rigorously accountable to a vision of a more equitable and inclusive field; I am proud to have helped lead the company and am pleased to be leaving it in a strong and stable position coming out of the pandemic.”
A Noise Within is a regional theatre company with a rotating repertory model based in Pasadena, Calif. The organization aims to showcase professional performances of classical theatre while inspiring diverse audiences of all ages through its education programs. As of 2020, A Noise Within had an approximate budget of $3.4 million.
