Today we’d like to introduce you to Micah McBay.
Hi Micah , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story in theatre began when I was eight years old, standing onstage as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz at a local high school. I didn’t have a single line, but I had one moment that got a big laugh every night. From then on, I was hooked.
That spark grew into a lifelong passion for performing, which led me to study both choral music and theatre. Along the way, I worked in churches and schools, sharpening my skills as a director, actor, singer, and leader. Those years gave me the foundation to take on bigger challenges.
Eventually, I came to Greenville, Texas, to work for the City. My job includes overseeing Tourism, Main Street, Communications, and the historic Greenville Municipal Auditorium. Through that role, I connected with Greenville Theatre Works, our community theatre. At the time, GTW was still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Together, we made the decision to relaunch as a non-profit, built a board, and staged our first production in that new format. I was elected Artistic Director, and we haven’t slowed down since.
Now, only a few years later, we are wrapping up our third full season and closing in on our twelfth production. The 2025–26 season is our most ambitious yet, with four MainStage shows and two fundraiser events. What started with one laugh from the audience as a kid has grown into a mission to build a lasting theatre company for our community. And in many ways, the story is just beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, the road has been fairly smooth, but rapid growth always brings challenges. We rely on a small core group of volunteers, and making sure people don’t burn out is something we’re still working hard to balance. Four productions a year is a big lift, and the need for more hands has become clear as we continue to grow.
We’ve also faced the same struggles that most small community theatres know all too well. Sometimes auditions draw fewer people than we’d hoped, especially for non-musicals. Funding is always tight because theatre is expensive to create, and we’ve had to learn how to stretch every dollar. Even practical things, like storage, quickly became an issue. Within our first couple of seasons we outgrew one unit and had to add a second, and now we’re already looking at whether to add a third or find a more permanent solution.
The challenges are real, but they’re also a sign of momentum. To me, the fact that we’re dealing with “growth problems” is a good problem to have.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the heart of what I do is building community through the arts. My “day job” with the City of Greenville lets me oversee Tourism, Main Street, Communications, and the historic Greenville Municipal Auditorium. That role connects me to almost every piece of the city’s cultural life, but theatre is where my passion really comes alive.
As Artistic Director of Greenville Theatre Works, I specialize in creating productions that are both professional in quality and deeply connected to our community. I’m proud that in just a few short years, we’ve grown from a group trying to survive the pandemic into a non-profit company producing multiple shows a season. What sets us apart is that we don’t just put on plays—we treat each show as a chance to bring people together, whether that’s through innovative adaptations, new community partnerships, or simply making theatre accessible to audiences who might not normally come.
I’m proudest when I look out and see a full house at the GMA, with people laughing, crying, or applauding together. Those shared moments remind me that theatre isn’t just entertainment. It’s connection. That’s what I’m chasing every time I direct a show.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a pretty precocious kid. I loved performing and being at the center of things, but I was just as happy diving into what I’d affectionately call “nerdy” pursuits. I was an avid reader, I devoured sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure films like Star Wars and Star Trek, and I loved playing games. Looking back, I realize I was always drawn to stories and storytelling. Without even knowing it, I was learning structure, pacing, plot, and characterization just by living inside those worlds. Later, when I started directing plays and musicals, all of that felt like second nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gtwlive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtwgreenville/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gtwlive/
