After an extensive nationwide search process, The Woodland Opera House Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Tom Burmester as the new Executive Director. Burmester replaces current Executive Director, Angela Baltezore, who will retire at the end of June.

WOH Board of Trustees President, Lou Anderson said “We are very excited to have Tom join our WOH family. Filling the many roles and responsibilities, as Angela has done so well for the past nine years, will not be easy. But we know Tom is well experienced and up to the challenge of continuing the WOH legacy of presenting excellent theatre productions and outstanding education programs, especially for youth, to our community.” Tom Burmester’s background as a producer, theatre-maker, and educator, in both northern and southern California, will help to further the mission of the organization that is an historical landmark in Yolo County, and home to an active theatre, and theatre education program.

Burmester will begin work at the WOH in May and assume the Executive Director role in July, managing all day-to-day operations for the nonprofit. His substantial experience in working with a variety of theatrical venues and programs has well prepared him to take on the Executive Director position. In Los Angeles, as Audience Experience Designer for Center Theatre Group, he created engaging participatory experiences for audiences at the Ahmanson, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas Theatre. He was the founding Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble (LATE), where he produced and directed over 30 new plays and developed "one of the finest and most committed ensembles performing on any Los Angeles stage," according to Backstage. During LATE's residency, he served as Managing Director of the historic Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica. His work as playwright, director, and producer of The War Cycle earned awards and recognition, including three Ovation Award nominations and a Special Citation from LA Weekly for "Excellence and Breadth of Vision."

Most recently, in collaboration with UC Davis, he was a Founding Co-Director and producer of the Ground and Field Theatre Festival. This three-year sandbox project invited international playwrights to create new plays and musicals that centered on narratives of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Burmester is an Adjunct Professor of Performing Arts at St. Mary's College, where he teaches Science Fiction Theatre and Season Planning. He has also taught acting, directing, design, and theatre studies at UCLA and UC Davis. He earned his Ph.D. in Performance Studies at UC Davis, a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from UCLA, and a BA in Theatre and Dance from UC Davis. Burmester is looking forward to this new venture with the Opera House, stating, “The Woodland Opera House has survived two fires, the advent of motion pictures, a global pandemic...and come out swinging. The strength with which Woodland Opera House has persevered is a testament to the resilient power of theatre and a demonstration that the arts remain vital to a thriving community. I am deeply honored by the opportunity to contribute to the history and legacy of Woodland Opera House by continuing to provide a welcoming home for artists and community members looking for a place to connect and create in a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive hub of artistic expression.”

Angela Baltezore became the Executive Director in February of 2014. During her 9 years in the position she helped the theatre realize its goal of adding a Theatre and Dance Annex (TADA) studio to house the flourishing education program. Since coming on board, the theatre has also added a new LED theatrical lighting system, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a new HVAC system to increase production quality and patron comfort. Focused on growth, she expanded the season to include Rising Stars Youth Theatre, allowing young actors to shine on the Opera House’s historic stage. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Angela held the position of Education Director at the theatre, building a comprehensive theatre and dance program. With more than 40 years of experience in theatre, she will leave quite a legacy. Says Angela, "Preservation of our beautiful, historic theatre building, while allowing all ages to participate in, and to enjoy live-theatre performances, has been my priority. It has been an honor to serve my community at the Woodland Opera House for the past 26 years.”