Jonathan West

jwest@mcaculture.com

Prior to joining MCA in 2015, Jonathan (he/him) was the Director of Communications for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and led all institutional messaging for the organization founded by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr. West has been an active member of the professional theater community for over 30 years, leading organizations as both an artist and manager through periods of growth, stabilization, and transition. 

In regards to his work in executive search, Jonathan has successfully led processes for organizations such as OPERA America (President/CEO), Roundabout Theatre Company (Artistic and Managing Directors), La Jolla Playhouse (Artistic Director and Chief Financial Officer), The Old Globe (Managing Director, Director of Arts Engagement, and Associate Producer), Seattle Opera (General Director), MacDowell (Executive Director), Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (President & CEO), Seattle Repertory Theatre (Artistic Director), Portland Symphony Orchestra (Executive Director), Opera Colorado (General Director), The Center for Fiction (Executive Director), Houston Grand Opera (Chief Financial Officer), Indiana Repertory Theatre (Artistic Director), Kansas City Rep (Executive Director), Mattress Factory (Executive Director), Glimmerglass Festival (Director of Development),  Two River Theater (Artistic and Managing Directors), Writers’ Theatre (Artistic Director), Actors’ Equity Association (Central Regional Director/Assistant Executive Director), Calgary Opera (Artistic Director), Florentine Opera (General Director & CEO), and Weston Playhouse (Executive Artistic Director). 

Jonathan has led planning work for such organizations as Central City Opera, Madison Youth Arts Center, Creede Repertory Theatre, New Music USA, Roundabout Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare, The Town Hall, and other important cultural institutions nationwide. 

His consulting work in media and press relations has allowed him to offer his expertise to organizations such as Ten Chimneys Foundation, Skylight Music Theater, and other performing arts, educational, and cultural institutions. Mr. West’s work as an Equity actor and stage director has been seen at Tanglewood Music Festival, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Forward Theater Company, and many other companies. As a frequently published writer, Mr. West has contributed to and edited arts and architecture publications nationwide and served as the in-house writer, “The Pfister Narrator”, for the historic Pfister Hotel.

He is based in New York City with his wife Paula Suozzi, Executive Stage Director of The Metropolitan Opera, and is the proud father of adult daughters Dorothea, a chemist, and Carmela, a criminology and theatre student. He is a graduate of New York University’s Gallatin School for Individualized Study with a concentration in Theatre Administration & Directing and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and The Dramatists Guild. He serves on the Board of Classic Stage Company and is the Chair of their Finance Committee.