Jonathan West | Managing Director
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 20 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 recently helped place talented individuals through such successful search projects as OPERA America’s President/CEO, Roundabout Theatre Company’s Artistic and Managing Directors, La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director, The Old Globe’s Director of Arts Engagement and Associate Producers, Arena Stage’s Artistic Director, Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Kansas City Rep’s Executive Director, Mattress Factory’s Executive Director, Glimmerglass Festival’s Director of Development, Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Executive Director, Seattle Opera’s General Director, Opera Colorado’s General Director, The Center for Fiction’s Executive Director, MacDowell’s Executive Director, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s President & CEO, Seattle Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Two River Theater’s Artistic and Managing Directors, Writers’ Theatre’s Artistic Director, Actors’ Equity Association’s Central Regional Director/Assistant Executive Director, American Stage Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director, Calgary Opera’s Artistic Director, Florentine Opera’s General Director & CEO, Houston Grand Opera’s Chief Financial Officer, and Weston Playhouse’s Executive Artistic Director.
Jonathan has led planning work for such organizations as Central City Opera, Madison Youth Arts Center, New Music USA, Roundabout Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare, and other important cultural institutions nationwide. He is also leading a Strategic Planning process for The Town Hall in New York City and Operational Planning Projects for Weston Theatre Company in Weston, VT and Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede, CO.
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.