Who's Who at Hampton Arts

Michael Curry was named one of the
“50 Very Important People Shaping Life
in Hampton Roads” and voted 2005
Reader’s Choice Man of the Year by Hampton Roads Magazine.

In December 2003, Portfolio Weekly Magazine named him one of the 20 people who have made the most difference in Hampton Roads over the past twenty years.

Michael Curry has been Director of Hampton Arts since it was created by City Council in 1987.

He oversaw the renovations of the historic Charles H. Taylor Arts Center as well as the purchase and renovations of the historic American Theatre and the more recent purchase of the building adjoining The American Theatre — the new Gordon-Kearney Studio. He established the highly acclaimed Great Performers Series in 1989 and, under his direction, Hampton Arts continues to grow into a model arts agency, unique in scope and reach.

Throughout his career, Michael has had the honor of working with and presenting many of the leading performing artists of our generation. He has the rare distinction of having produced major ballet galas starring the three major superstars of the 20th century — Alexander Godunov, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev. As a Producing Director, he mounted major productions in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Actors Theatre of Louisville, at the 50th Edinburgh Festival Fringe and at the first two Virginia Arts Festivals here in Hampton Roads.

Prior to being appointed Hampton Arts’ Director, Michael served as Founding Director of The Fine Arts Foundation of Lafayette (Louisiana) for more than thirteen years. He began his professional career as
an Assistant Stage Manager at the Chelmsford Civic Theatre in his native England, working in all aspects of theatre management and production.

The youngest of a family of six, Michael grew up in the village of Buxted, about forty miles south of London. He attended the Royal Masonic Schools for ten years where he took an active role in the musical and dramatic life, serving as Principal Bass
in the orchestra, organist for chapel services, and accompanist for choral activities
and taking leading roles in numerous dramatic productions.

Working closely with the corporate and non-profit communities, Michael has served on numerous Boards and Committees during his career. He is a past President of the Downtown Hampton Kiwanis Club, a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Hampton University Museum and a former member of the Board of the Phoebus Improvement League. Michael is featured in the premiere edition of Who’s Who in Entertainment, Who’s Who in the South and Southeast and in the International Dictionary of Biography.

Michael attended the University of London where he studied for a joint degree in English, French and Law. In addition to his lifelong passion for the arts, Michael also enjoys swimming, gardening, Buddhist philosophy, working on his house and pond, reading and yoga. In October 2007, he had the honor of being an invited guest when His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama was installed as Distinguished Presidential Professor at Emory University in Atlanta. And in January 2008, he was an invited guest at Drepung Loseling Monastery in Southern India when His Holiness the Dalai Lama opened the new 5,000 seat prayer hall and gave two weeks of teachings to the monastic community.