Mission Statement
The Burning River Theatre Collective creates bold, genre-defying theatrical events that ignite conversation and catalyze change. Inspired by the transformative history of the Cuyahoga River fire, we unite distinct performance disciplines to tell urgent, relevant stories. Through deep collaboration, extended development, and a commitment to excellence, we engage our community in shared acts of artistic reckoning, reflection, and renewal.
Vision Statement
We envision a vibrant cultural ecosystem in Northeast Ohio where groundbreaking, interdisciplinary theatre challenges the status quo, amplifies underrepresented voices, and sparks collective action. By embracing risk, rigor, and radical collaboration, The Burning River Theatre Collective aims to become a nationally recognized model for how art can illuminate, disrupt, and heal communities in crisis.
Nathan Motta is the 5th Artistic Director at Dobama Theatre, Cleveland’s Off-Broadway Theatre, where he spurred Dobama’s move to become the region’s newest Equity Theatre and where he’s directed critically acclaimed productions of AN OCTOROON (Best Director- Cleveland Critics Circle 2016), THE FLICK (Best Director- Cleveland Critics Circle 2017), STUPID F**KING BIRD (Best Director- Cleveland Critics Circle 2019), APPROPRIATE, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, SUPERIOR DONUTS, A BRIGHT NEW BOISE, THE LYONS, TIME STANDS STILL, THE ALIENS, A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL CELEBRATION, MARIE ANTOINETTE, JOHN, THIS, ELLA ENCHANTED, and the World Premiere of HOW TO BE A RESPECTABLE JUNKIE. A professional director, conductor, and composer/lyricist, Motta has worked with Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Baldwin Wallace University, Oberlin College, Cleveland State University, John Carroll University, Opera Cleveland, Ohio Light Opera, Cain Park, Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mercury Opera Rochester, and Civic Light Opera (Pittsburgh). He is the Founding Artistic Director of the Dobama Emerging Actors Program (DEAP), Dobama’s elite summer acting program. He has composed music for three original musicals, LITTLE WHITE GLOVES (an adaptation of the movie All I Wanna Do), MIDSUMMER (based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and the upcoming World Premiere of THE LAND OF OZ (book & lyrics by George Brant and adapted from the L. Frank Baum novel). A leader in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the theatre industry, he was award the Lamkey Award by Actors’ Equity Association for representation on and off stage; was co-founder of Theatre Artists for Social Change (TASC), a forum for convening and education; helped create the CLEAN HOUSE STANDARDS, a document based on Chicago’s “Not In Our House” standards of protections for theatre artists and staff; and helped write the LOVE & RESPECT DOCUMENT, a model living document for anti-racism and authentic inclusivity at Dobama Theatre. He holds a B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.M. from the Eastman School of Music. Member Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), the national theatrical union that unites, empowers and protects professional stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States.
Cameron Caley Michalak is a set designer, technical director for theatre, artist, educator, husband, father and builder (a, hopefully, ever expanding list). He draws much inspiration from the people, and objects he encounters in the world. The builder in him attempts to infuse all of his work with texture, function, and the excitement of the tactile and tangible. His work as a set designer is largely influenced by the playwright’s words, individual project, director, and artistic collaborators to explore and create a cohesive environment for the storytelling that has to occur. Challenge has always activated Cameron, and he thrives when critical thinking, problem solving and deep, meaningful teamwork are possible in the context of mounting a production. In such a fickle tumultuous field as the theater, He has found great solace in the quote by Samuel Beckett, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Cameron sees each moment as an opportunity to “fail better,” and welcomes a lifetime of learning for himself and those that surround him. He is the current Full-Time Technical Director, Scenic Designer and Part-Time Instructor for Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Resident Designer and Technical Director for The Music Arts and Drama Factory Theatre Company (MAD FACTORY). He holds an M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Art with a Performance Creation Concentration.
The Burning River Theatre Collective 