Richard Stein has served as executive director of Arts Orange County, our community’s nonprofit local arts agency, since 2008.

Before that he transformed The Laguna Playhouse from a community theatre to a $7-million, internationally respected, professional theater during 17 years as its executive director.

A California native, he arrived in Orange County in 1987 to manage the Grove Shakespeare Festival in Garden Grove. He holds degrees from Columbia and Syracuse universities, is a contributing writer to the national monthly American Theatre, and remains active as a stage director.

He served as Orange County Supervisor Harriett Wieder’s appointee to the John Wayne Airport Arts Commission and twice was co-chairman of Orange County’s National Philanthropy Day celebration.

He resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife, Alison, an artist.

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