The new artistic director of Children’s Musical Theater San Jose (CMTSJ) is a familiar face to the company, and to his predecessor.
CMTSJ alumnus and San Jose native Kikau Alvaro has been named to succeed Kevin Hauge, who will retire at the end of the current season after 30 years with the company.
“I have had the unique opportunity to witness Kikau’s growth from a performer in his youth to his blossoming career as an arts educator, teacher and director,” Hauge said in a release “I’m confident that Kikau and (managing Director) Dana (Zell) are the right team to create the next successful chapters of CMT’s history.”
At CMTSJ, Alvaro went from performing to directing and choreographing shows. He continued to work in both capacities for local companies like Theatreworks Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, Diablo Theatre Center in Walnut Creek, San Jose State University and Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma.
Alvaro relocated to the East Coast, where he served as associate artistic director at Virginia Repertory Theatre from 2017–2021, built the musical theater program at Virginia Commonwealth University and taught musical theater at University of the Arts in Philadelphia and at Marymount Manhattan in New York City.
“Ultimately, Kikau won our hearts because of his well-rounded experience as multifaceted artist and educator, connections to the broader theater community in the Bay Area and beyond, his vision for endless possibilities of what CMT can become and his inherent passion for this organization,” Zell said.
Alvaro, who is moving from Philadelphia with his husband Derrick and their puppy Boggnes, is eager to follow in what CMTSJ Board Chair Carin Watson termed “Kevin Hauge’s extraordinary footsteps.”
“I look forward to bringing my artistic and leadership experience to this nationally acclaimed arts organization and to carry on the legacy of producing high-quality, award-winning work, building community and nurturing skills on and off stage through dynamic performance and educational opportunities,” he said in a release. “I am honored to join the leadership team at CMTSJ, a cultural institution and in so many ways the pride of the San Jose arts community.”
