Michael J. Bobbitt is an award-winning playwright, director, and arts leader. He is the Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, serving as the highest-ranking government official for arts and culture in Massachusetts. Previously, he was the Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre MTC (2007–2019) in Maryland and New Repertory Theatre (2019–2021) in Massachusetts. 

A published playwright, Michael’s works—many commissioned by Adventure Theatre—have garnered national recognition. His play Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds was nominated for The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical by the Helen Hayes Awards, and Jumanji received a nomination for Outstanding Play or Musical Adaptation. Other works include Garfield, the Musical with Cattitude, Caps for Sale, Blueberries for Sal, Just a Dream, Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings, The Yellow Rose of Texas, Mirandy and Brother Wind, Say It Ain’t So, The Stephen Schwartz Project, Tam’s Two Dads (commissioned by The Theatre Offensive), and The Lil’ Flo and Big Moe Show! (a radio play commissioned by Hartford Stage). He has also written for The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater and the Hillwood Museum. 

In addition, Michael has adapted Big, The Musical into a Theatre for Young Audiences version (published by Musical Theatre International) and reimagined a small cast version of Broadway’s After Midnight (published by Broadway Publishing). His current projects include Monster Mash – A New Musical (adapted from the iconic song), Our Gang (inspired by the Hal Roach short films), Mother Goosed! (commissioned by Adventure Theatre), and Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus. 

Productions of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds and Caps for Sale appeared at the prestigious New Victory Theater in New York City. 

Michael studied creative writing and music at Susquehanna University and trained in theater and dance at The Washington Ballet, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and CAP21. 

A proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Michael was honored with the 2023 Kennedy Center Gold Medallion from the American College Theatre Festival and was invested in the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.