Brendan Ragan
Latest News on Brendan Ragan:
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces THE MUSIC MAN In Concert With The School Of The Performing Arts (Dec 21, 2023)
Jacqueline Goldfinger's Adapted A CHRISTMAS CAROL Brings Magic To Metropolis Performing Arts Centre This Winter (Oct 13, 2023)
Photos: First Look at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Sep 17, 2023)
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces THE MUSIC MAN In Concert With The School Of The Performing Arts (Dec 21, 2023)
Jacqueline Goldfinger's Adapted A CHRISTMAS CAROL Brings Magic To Metropolis Performing Arts Centre This Winter (Oct 13, 2023)
Photos: First Look at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Sep 17, 2023)
Brendan Ragan BIO
Originally from Colorado, I've been a professional theatre artist for 20 years. From my very first professional opportunity as an acting apprentice at Colorado Shakespeare Festival through my current role as producer and artistic director of Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre (and soon, Artistic Director of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre), I've followed an intense, insatiable joy found in theatrical storytelling all over the country. I've produced more than 50 professional plays, three new play festivals, and countless developmental workshops and staged readings. I'm passionate about championing new works and unearthing the next generation of important theatrical voices in America.
I've been a staunch advocate for changing the working standards in professional theatre. By eliminating 10 out of 12s, instituting a 5-day work week, raising wages, and leveling the playing field between union and non-union actors, I've enacted commonsense changes in an industry that is still fighting for equitable workplaces.
As a millennial, I'm dedicated to investigating big questions about identity, love, culture and authority. With the world at our fingertips, I believe it's vital theatremakers remain committed to telling stories that dare us to engage in messy battles, adventurous themes and complex human conflicts.
I started my career as a producer as a founding member of Baltimore's Single Carrot Theatre, where I learned on the ground level what is required to produce effective, provocative plays that can start the conversations that change communities.
I believe deeply in the power of developing empathy through shared experience, and I think there is no better way to entertain, engage and ignite a community than by sharing real space through live theatre. It's not the theatre's job to tell us what to think or feel, but rather to help us uncover the new ideas that will shape the world we live in.
Brendan Ragan Photos
Brendan Ragan News
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces THE MUSIC MAN In Concert With The School Of The Performing Arts
Metropolis Performing Arts Center has announced the upcoming production of The Music Man in Concert in collaboration with the School of the Performing Arts. Presented as a concert with a 25-piece orchestra, Meredith Willson's six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957.
Jacqueline Goldfinger's Adapted A CHRISTMAS CAROL Brings Magic To Metropolis Performing Arts Centre This Winter
Metropolis announces its production of the holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol. Get the cast announcement, creative team info, and performance details in the press release.
Photos: First Look at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Opening the 2023 – 2024 Season at Metropolis is the ghastly fun family comedy The Addams Family: The Musical. Former Interim Artistic Director and Stella Adler Studio of Acting Director of Musical Theatre Robbie Simpson directs this macabre musical hit. Check out production photos here!
Join Metropolis In Celebrating Its 20th Anniversary With SUNDAY SOIREE
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre will host its 20th Anniversary Sunday Soiree on Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 4:30–9:00 pm in the Metropolis Ballroom & Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Theatre.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY Comes to Metropolis in September
Opening the 2023 – 2024 Season at Metropolis is the ghastly fun family comedy The Addams Family: The Musical. Former Interim Artistic Director and Stella Adler Studio of Acting Director of Musical Theatre Robbie Simpson directs this macabre musical hit. Featuring original choreography by Jeni Donahue and musical direction by Jeff Award-Nominated music director Aaron Kaplan.
XANADU Comes to Metropolis in July
Closing the 2022 – 2023 Season at Metropolis is the cult movie classic turned musical comedy Xanadu. Kevin Wiczer directs the glitter explosion with choreography by Kristine Burdi and musical direction by Kenneth McMullen.
Metropolis School Of Performing Arts to Present URINETOWN; 2023/2024 Programming Announced
Metropolis has announced its 2023 School of the Performing Arts high school production, in addition to SOPA 2023 summer programming and 2023/2024 programming.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE MUSIC MAN, and More Set For Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's 2023-24 Season
The 23rd Season will include blockbuster musicals The Addams Family, 9 to 5, and Million Dollar Quartet, a time-honored holiday tradition in A Christmas Carol, and a new winter series including a concert version of The Music Man and a debut cabaret created by Michael Ingersoll, Artist’s Lounge All-Stars.
Brendan Ragan Revealed as Metropolis' New Artistic Director
After a nationwide search, Metropolis’ Board of Directors has announced acclaimed theatre artist Brendan Ragan as the company’s new Artistic Director. Ragan is the founding Co-Artistic Director of the award-winning Urbanite Theatre, a Florida-based company known regionally for producing bold, inventive new works.
Metropolis Selects Brendan Ragan as New Artistic Director
After a nationwide search, Metropolis’ Board of Directors has announced acclaimed theatre artist Brendan Ragan as the company’s new Artistic Director. Ragan is the founding Co-Artistic Director of the award-winning Urbanite Theatre, a Florida-based company known regionally for producing bold, inventive new works.
Review: THE BURDENS at Urbanite Theatre
“The Burdens” should not be missed. If you love to text message, (and who doesn’t) this is the show for you.
Photos: First Look at Urbanite Theatre's THE BURDENS
Urbanite Theatre will begin its 2022/23 Season with a twisted and inventive dark comedy, The Burdens by Matt Schatz, from October 22 - November 27, 2022. The Burdens, directed by Urbanite Theatre Artistic Director Brendan Ragan, will follow a set of clumsy siblings plotting to address a problematic grandfather. Check out the photos here.
Urbanite Theatre to Kick Off 2022/23 Season With THE BURDENS This Weekend
Urbanite Theatre will begin its 2022/23 Season with a twisted and inventive dark comedy, The Burdens by Matt Schatz. The Burdens, directed by Urbanite Theatre Artistic Director Brendan Ragan, will follow a set of clumsy siblings plotting to address a problematic grandfather. The production runs October 22 - December 4, 2022.
Urbanite Theatre Announces 2022-2023 Season Featuring a World Premiere, Regional Premiere & More
Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota, Florida's premiere destination for bold, contemporary black-box theater, announced its 2022-23 season, which includes four main productions and two special engagements.
American Stage and Creative Pinellas First Mondays Presents THE WEB By Eugene O'Neill
The second reading for “First Mondays” as part of the collaboration with American Stage and Creative Pinellas continues on April 4th.
BWW Review: The Brilliant GILES DAVIES Will Take Your Breath Away in Ronan Noone's THE SMUGGLER at Urbanite Theatre
Davies is animated, charismatic, and a force of nature that keeps you on the edge of your seat with Noone's ultra-clever script.
AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN Announced At Urbanite Theatre
Urbanite Theatre will begin it's 2021/22 Season with the regional premiere of At The Wake of a Dead Drag Queen by Terry Guest.
Urbanite Theatre Announces 2021-22 Season
Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota, Florida's premiere destination for bold, contemporary black-box theater, announced its 2021-22 season, celebrating it's 8th season in downtown Sarasota.
BWW Previews: THINKTANK DEBUTS TYA PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL AND GEN NEXT FESTIVAL at Stageworks Theatre
THINKTANK DEBUTS TYA PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL AND GEN NEXT FESTIVAL at Stageworks Theatre
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