Leading Executives in Performing Arts
Jeff Alexander
President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association
President of the CSOA since 2015; led the CSO’s 125th anniversary, major labor agreements, DEI and strategic plans, and significant fundraising for the institution.
Alex Beard
Chief Executive, Royal Ballet and Opera (formerly Royal Opera House)
Chief Executive since 2013; oversaw Covent Garden’s transformation (including the Linbury Theatre) and led the organization’s 2024 brand evolution to Royal Ballet and Opera.
Katherine E. Brown
Executive Director, New York City Ballet
Executive Director of NYCB and the David H. Koch Theater, overseeing administration and an annual budget of roughly $98M.
Khori Dastoor
General Director & CEO, Houston Grand Opera
General Director & CEO; known for expanding access and innovation at HGO, including launching the HGO label and a landmark partnership with LSO Live.
Oskar Eustis
Artistic Director, The Public Theater
Artistic Director since 2005; incubated era‑defining works (from Shakespeare in the Park to Hamilton) and champions broad civic access to theater.
Sonia Friedman
Founder & Producer, Sonia Friedman Productions
West End/Broadway ‘super‑producer’ behind hits including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; multiple Olivier and Tony wins power SFP’s global impact.
Peter Gelb
Maria Manetti Shrem General Manager, The Metropolitan Opera
Met GM since 2006; launched The Met: Live in HD global cinema broadcasts and pushed contemporary works alongside classics.
Clive Gillinson
Executive and Artistic Director, Carnegie Hall
Executive and Artistic Director since 2005; expanded education, global partnerships, and digital initiatives like Carnegie Hall+.
admin-staff | company | x
Christopher Koelsch
President & CEO, LA Opera
President & CEO since 2012; sets artistic strategy and has overseen 50+ new productions, including multiple world premieres.
Stéphane Lefebvre
President & CEO, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
President & CEO leading Cirque’s post‑restructuring relaunch and global growth across live entertainment brands.
Cameron Mackintosh
Producer & Owner, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.
Iconic producer/theatre owner behind long‑running giants including Les Misérables, Phantom, Cats and Miss Saigon; knighted for services to theatre.
James L. Nederlander
President & CEO, The Nederlander Organization
President & CEO of one of Broadway’s major theatre owners/producers; multiple Tony‑winning producer with global venue footprint.
Alex Poots
Artistic Director & Chief Executive, The Shed (NYC)
Founding Artistic Director (and former CEO) of The Shed, commissioning cutting‑edge, interdisciplinary work in a flexible new‑build arts space.
Tamara Rojo
Artistic Director, San Francisco Ballet
Artistic Director since 2022 and first woman to lead SF Ballet; acclaimed former ENB/Royal Ballet principal driving new commissions and partnerships.
Jeffrey Seller
Lead Producer, Jeffrey Seller Productions / Hamilton
Tony‑ and Pulitzer‑winning Broadway producer of Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights, and Hamilton; only producer with two Pulitzer‑winning musicals.
Matthew Shilvock
General Director, San Francisco Opera
General Director since 2016; oversees artistic and business operations and has advanced major new works and initiatives.
Mariko Silver
President & CEO, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Appointed President & CEO in September 2024, stewarding Lincoln Center’s civic‑minded programming and campus initiatives.
Ted Stimpson
Chief Executive Officer, ATG Entertainment (formerly Ambassador Theatre Group)
CEO leading the global theatre group’s rebrand and expansion (including Spain’s SOM Produce) across 60+ venues and production arms.
Matías Tarnopolsky
President & CEO, New York Philharmonic
Became President & CEO on Jan. 1, 2025, teaming with incoming Music Director Gustavo Dudamel to shape a new chapter at the NY Phil.
Related Topics
Further Reading
Was this page helpful? We'd love your feedback — please email us at feedback@dealstream.com.