Thomas Karr joined the faculty at Wayne State University having spent the past eleven years in leadership roles at some of the nation’s most esteemed performing arts organizations. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management/Arts Administration from the University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining Wayne State, Thomas served as the Director of Marketing & Communications at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte where, thorough an intensive pricing study, implemented dynamic pricing, remapped pricing zones, and increased single ticket revenue by almost $200,000 in just two years. He also championed the addition of sensory-friendly performances for children who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivity issues.

Prior to North Carolina, he served as the Associate Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Theatre Development Fund, the nation’s largest service organization for the performing arts. At TDF, he helped establish the organization’s first marketing department, managed public communications, and directed brand strategy. He has also produced several Off-Broadway productions including “Alcestis Ascending,” “Dammit, Shakespeare!” and “Underwear: A Space Musical” (at the New York International Fringe Festival). Before NYC, he served as the Director of Marketing and Director of Graduate Studies in Theatre Management and Arts Administration at The University of Alabama, in partnership with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.