Celebrating Hillbarn’s 85th

SM: I grew up in Phoenix, attended Scottsdale College and Arizona State University in the acting emphasis program, and then went to the Pacific Conservatory Theatre in Santa Maria to study in their acting program. I moved to the Bay Area in 2010, where I met my amazing wife. We’ve got two beautiful kids who love coming to work with their dad.

DJ: What has been your theater career path?

SM: One of my earliest memories of attending theater was a production of “Peter Pan” at the local high school. There was a professional actor playing Captain Hook; his fake mustache kept falling off. In a moment of frustration, he tossed it away, looked out at the audience, said, “I never liked it anyway,” and went on with the show. The audience loved it.

That moment unlocked something in me — the idea that no other audience going to see this production, would see that moment, that it was uniquely shared between that night’s audience and the cast. I took theater classes in middle and high school, where I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a group of students who were incredibly talented, many of whom are still doing it at a high level today. A core group of us went to Scottsdale College together, which had professors who also started a Shakespeare company we all performed at, giving us our first professional jobs.

I’ve been a professional actor for about 30 years now, although these days my role as a theater administrator takes more of my time and focus. I think my experience as an actor best serves my current role by always reminding me that we are a collective of artists producing the works chosen to be on our stage.

DJ: Describe Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory for those who may not be familiar with it.

SM: Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory is one of the Bay Area’s most beloved nonprofit theaters, and we’re proud to call Foster City home. We create award-winning live theater and offer conservatory education programs, all from our intimate 179-seat venue.

Under the leadership of myself as executive artistic director and our conservatory director, Sarah Jebian, we have an incredible team of dedicated, diverse artists who bring their whole selves to the work. What makes Hillbarn unique is that we produce both classic and contemporary pieces, always with an eye toward amplifying a wide range of voices and perspectives.

DJ: How did you come to be its executive artistic director?

SM: I had worked at Hillbarn as a director and designer before the position became available. After working as an associate artistic director for both the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and Jewel Theatre Company, I decided to apply and was lucky enough to be entrusted with this next phase of Hillbarn’s legacy.

The job itself is all-encompassing. The EAD is responsible for both the artistic and administrative sides of the company — from selecting the seasons to balancing the budget to representing Hillbarn in the community at speaking engagements and fostering new partnerships. There is very little that does not pass through my desk.

DJ: How are plays chosen for a season?

SM: I’m constantly thinking about season selection — it’s a never-ending process. By the time we announce titles, I’ve been living with them in my head for at least a year, but most of the time I’m considering titles brought to me by staff or outside directors at least two years prior.

We want to both entertain and enlighten. We are a 179-seat theater that depends mostly on ticket sales to balance the books, which greatly informs what I can program, as does what other local theaters are producing. We are in conversation with each other to make sure we don’t overlap too much on titles.

And the last piece of the puzzle is: Do we have the specific artists available to perform the shows picked for a season? Luckily for us, we produce in the Bay Area, which has a large talent base with incredible artists, so that’s the least of our concerns.

DJ: How does casting take place?

SM: After we’ve announced our season, we schedule general auditions. We advertise these on our website as well as on our social media channels. Anyone is welcome to sign up and come audition. Our new conservatory director, Sarah Jebian, is currently working on offering adult classes and workshops for anyone interested in honing their skills, reviving an old passion or prepping for that next audition.

DJ: What would you say to someone who is interested in getting involved in Hillbarn Theatre — on stage or off — but doesn’t know where to start?

SM: Contact us! It takes a village to produce live theater, and we’re always looking for more support.

DJ: Hillbarn Theatre is celebrating its 85th year. What events are planned?

SM: Hillbarn Theatre is proudly celebrating its 85th year, having kicked things off with Plaza Suite and Murder for Two. Next up is our 85th Concert Celebration on Nov. 15 and 16, featuring show tunes from beloved Hillbarn productions — a joyful musical tribute to the artists and stories that have defined our stage for 8 1/2 decades.

The celebration continues all season with “Cinderella,” “What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Songs for a New World” and “The Play That Goes Wrong.” We’ll close this milestone season in style with our 85th Anniversary Gala on May 30 at the Hiller Aviation Museum — an elegant evening of performances, celebration and connection.

Information on all our programming and events can be found at hillbarntheatre.org.