Additional Information
Michael Cochran grew up in Kenosha, WI and graduated from Univ. of WI-Whitewater with a B.A. in Theatre. He attended Graduate School at Univ. of Alabama and received his M.F.A. in Theatre from Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he studied design and playwriting. Cochran worked professionally in Chicago and Kansas City theatre as a Lighting and Scenic Designer until 1983 when he was hired by the Market House Community Theatre in Paducah. Since then he has directed and designed hundreds of productions with Market House Theatre and has served as MHT's Artistic & Managing Director from 1996 to the present. He has written several historical and short plays which were produced by the Market House Theatre and other local groups. Cochran has received local, state, regional and national awards for his work. His play ETERNITY was selected as one of the winners of the national AACT NewPlayFest 2018.
In addition to his creative work, Michael has over 40 years of experience in arts management and leadership working for large and small organizations. His work to develop a small theatre into a successful model with multiple buildings, increased staff, and fundraising and business planning has led to his work helping other organizations grow.