Michael Hackett

Michael Hackett serves as a Professor of Directing and Theater History and Chair of Theater at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. His distinguished career spans international venues including the Royal Opera (Covent Garden), Royal Theatre (The Hague), and major Los Angeles institutions such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and Los Angeles Opera, where he is a frequent lecturer.

His professional expertise centers on Theater Directing, Theater History, Opera, Classical Greek Drama, and Indigenous Performance practices. Key projects include directing Sophocles’ Philoktetes for the Getty Villa and preparing "Ceremony for Mother Earth: A Healing" with Hanay Geiogamah for the American Indian Dance Theatre, reflecting his commitment to cross-cultural and healing-centered artistic work.

As Department Chair, Hackett provides academic leadership and mentorship while maintaining an active professional practice. His collaborations with institutions like Musica Angelica, LA Theatre Works, and the Geffen Playhouse demonstrate a career bridging classical traditions with contemporary performance, emphasizing community engagement and cultural dialogue in theater arts.