DR. MICHAEL MCBRIDE (he/him; MUSIC DIRECTOR) is a Chicago-based Jeff Award-winning music director, composer, performer, and educator. He is thrilled to return to Music Theater Works for his fifth production with ANNIE. The common thread in all his work is empowering those around him to shine. International: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: A MUSICAL TALE (GWB Productions, New Zealand) and THE CHOIR OF MAN (Norwegian Cruise Lines). New York: THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (John W. Engeman Theater). Chicago: TITANIQUE (Broadway in Chicago/PMT), RENT (Porchlight Music Theatre), THE LORD OF THE RINGS: A MUSICAL TALE, SINISTER, GRACE (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), REVOLUTION(S) (Goodman Theatre), GREASE (Drury Lane Theatre), BIG FISH (Boho Theater, Jeff Award — Best Music Direction), THE CHOIR OF MAN (Apollo Theater Chicago), PASSING STRANGE (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre), BILLY ELLIOT, BRIGADOON, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and CAROUSEL (Music Theater Works). Regional: WE WILL ROCK YOU, LEGALLY BLONDE, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, PIPPIN, MAN OF LA MANCHA, MAMMA MIA!, INTO THE WOODS, and THE LITTLE MERMAID (Timber Lake Playhouse). Academic: RIDE THE CYCLONE (DePaul University), YEAST NATION (North Park University), THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON, FUN HOME, VIOLET, CABARET, TINTYPES, SHE LOVES ME, SPRING AWAKENING, HOT MIKADO, and URINETOWN (Loyola University Chicago). Composer: THE BOYS AND THE NUNS. Faculty: Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago, and North Park University. Education: DM Composition and Northwestern University. IG: TheRealMcBride