Michael J. Passaro
Michael J. Passaro is a stage manager with nearly forty years’ experience in professional theater—on Broadway, regionally, and worldwide. Currently, Passaro serves as the Production Stage Manager for the Broadway play Giant, starring John Lithgow and directed by Nicholas Hytner. He is also the worldwide Production Supervisor for Shucked. Previous credits include Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Cher Show, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Holiday Inn, Bright Star, Wolf Hall, and the revival of Pippin, directed by Columbia alum Diane Paulus '97.
Passaro is also very proud to have been associated with the original Broadway productions of Starlight Express, The Will Rogers Follies, Angels in America, The History Boys, A Steady Rain (starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig), Promises Promises (with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth), and the recent revivals of Evita and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (starring Daniel Radcliffe). His work in the theatrical realm has also given him significant experience as a producer of corporate events and as a project manager for experiential environments, working for various production companies and clients around the world.
Passaro is prominently featured in two books: The Leap To Leader by Adam Bryant (published by Harvard Business Review) and Stage Management Communication Design as Scenography by Michael Smalley (published by Bloomsbury/Methuen).
As a teacher, Passaro is passionate about training stage managers to become leaders in creating inclusive workspaces for all theater artists. He is thrilled to share his collective knowledge with MFA students at Columbia University—and, in turn, to learn much from them as well.
News
The 65th annual Drama Desk Award nominees include productions featuring Columbia Faculty, alumni, and current students.
Since the film release of Moulin Rouge, Baz Luhrman’s dramatic musical has continued to capture the hearts of bohemians, artists, and audiences around the world. The 2001 film garnered critical acclaim, gaining the attention of Broadway producers. As the film transitioned to the stage, the script, adapted by playwright John Logan, continued to evolve. From workshops, to developmental labs, to the Boston premiere and finally to Broadway, Moulin Rouge!, directed by Alex Timbers, underwent numerous rewrites in order to become the dazzling spectacle that shines at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre today.
Columbia School of the Arts theatre community members won big at this year’s Tony Awards.
The 64th Annual Drama Desk Awards presented by Broadway News were announced June 2, 2019 at The Town Hall in New York City.
The 2017 Tony Award Nominations are in, celebrating numerous productions with Columbia artists at the helm as writers, directors, producers, and managers.