During his tenure, Schleifer led the administrative and producing team on over 100 productions including four world-premiere musicals that moved to Broadway; spearheaded the renovation of the alliance’s state-of-the-art, Coca-Cola Stage; guided the Alliance through the global pandemic; and is currently leading the renovation of the Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families
The Alliance will conduct a national search to select Schleifer’s replacement
After leading Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre through two major renovation projects, a global pandemic, and more than 100 productions over 11 years, Managing Director, Mike Schleifer, will leave the Alliance at the end of the year to become the Managing Director of Lincoln Center Theater. As Managing Director of the Alliance, Schleifer oversees all operational, marketing, financial, fundraising, and shared services activities. In his new role as Managing Director of Lincoln Center Theater, Schleifer will oversee LCT’s financial and operational health and ensure long-term sustainability and growth. He will work to align strategic planning with artistic goals, manage the theater’s union relationships, lead budgeting, marketing, and capital planning efforts, and identify and develop new revenue opportunities.
“While it's rare to find a managing director who is equally brilliant at the operational and financial part of the job, it's simply unheard of to find one who excels on those fronts and leads with such unabashed heart, vision, and humor. For the past 11 years, we had the unfathomably good fortune to have all that & more in Mike Schleifer,” said Jennings Hertz Artistic Directors Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and Christopher Moses in a joint statement. “Mike's willingness to bet on our mission and invest in the extraordinary talent of the Alliance staff allowed us to realize aspirational dreams we never would have dared to dream without his encouragement and faith. We'll miss him daily but cannot wait to witness the joy he'll bring to the Lincoln Center Theater.”
During his tenure with the Alliance, Schleifer led the administrative and producing teams on over 100 productions and moved four shows to Broadway including last season’s Water for Elephants and this season’s Maybe Happy Ending. He spearheaded the $36mm renovation of the award-winning Coca-Cola Stage and is currently leading the $26mm renovation of the Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families. Under his leadership the Alliance more than doubled its operating budget, tripled its endowment, and continued to lead the country in work developed for young audiences.
“It’s been a true honor and privilege to work, lead, and learn at the Alliance Theatre for the last eleven years. I’m deeply grateful to the staff, artists, and audiences of the Alliance Theatre and Woodruff Arts Center who have made this journey so rewarding,” said Schleifer. “We’ve achieved remarkable milestones — from moving productions to Broadway to completing transformative capital projects. I’m excited for what’s next, but I won’t be leaving until we cut the ribbon on the new Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families — a project that reflects the Alliance’s deep commitment to the next generation of theatergoers, both with the physical theater space and with the endowment we’re raising to make the work on that stage financially accessible for all.”
In addition to his work at the Alliance, Schleifer serves on the boards of the League of Resident Theatres and True Colors Theatre Company. In 2018 he co-founded Volute Partners, a theatre consultancy focused on capital projects and the subsequent operational support and budgets needed to sustain them.
"We are immensely grateful for Mike’s leadership and tireless dedication to the Alliance Theatre. His vision, passion, and expertise have left an indelible mark on this organization," said Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO, Woodruff Arts Center. “We take great pride in seeing him step into this well-deserved opportunity, knowing he will make a lasting impact at Lincoln Center Theater."
The leadership of the Woodruff Arts Center, with support from members of the Alliance Theatre Board of Directors, will conduct a national search for the Alliance's next Managing Director led by executive search firm, Corps Team.
“On behalf of the Alliance’s Board of Directors, we want to thank Mike for more than a decade of service to the Alliance and Atlanta community. He oversaw a period of unprecedented growth with a spirit of collaboration and unwavering commitment to the theater's artistic vision," said Kendrick Smith, Alliance Theatre Board of Directors Chair. “As we begin the national search for his successor, we remain dedicated to the theater’s mission of expanding hearts and minds, on stage and off.”
