Art Manke

Over the course of a 30-plus-year career in the performing arts, award-winning director and choreographer Art Manke has overseen more than 200 productions of classics, musicals, and new plays. A leading figure in new play development, Mr. Manke has worked with a diverse array of playwrights including Lloyd Suh, Amy Freed, David Wiener, Beau Willamon, David Davalos, Itamar Moses and Liza Powel O'Brien. In 1991, he co-founded A Noise Within, a Los Angeles-based theater that he led for over a decade as artistic director. During his tenure at A Noise Within, Art Manke directed numerous classics, launched educational and student outreach programs, led the company on tour to under-served communities, and helped the organization grow into a nationally recognized theater.

Mr. Manke's other credits include work with South Coast Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre Company, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, American Players Theatre and American Conservatory Theatre, among others. He is the recipient of five Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards in the categories of direction, choreography, and production.

Beyond his activities in live theater, Art Manke has worked to promote diversity and gender equality in the arts as a director of television shows, such as "Eve" starring the eponymous actress and rapper, Eve, and Jason Winston George, "One on One," guest-starring Brandy, and "Hannah Montana" starring Miley Cyrus. He continues to advance issues related to multicultural casting and inclusivity as an arts educator and member of several professional organizations.