On Stage and Off, Joe Bishara is Expanding Theatrical Access in the City

Interview by Steph Greegor

Name: Joe Bishara
Age: 40
Job Title and Company: Associate Producing Director, CATCO
Neighborhood: Upper Arlington
One-word description: Determined
Quote: “I love the parks and the diversity of restaurants in my neighborhood.”
Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Joe Bishara, 40, started his career on the stage.

“I started off as an actor working and traveling to regional events across the Midwest, then learned other tools of the trade like directing, producing, teaching, and theatre,” said the Columbus native who grew up in Marysville. “Now, I oversee the selection, execution and marketing for theatrical programming, education and outreach initiatives for CATCO, a non-profit professional theatre company in downtown Columbus.”

The Contemporary American Theater Company (CATCO) produces commercial “new work and regional and world premieres,” according to its website. Bishara is the Associate Producing Director. He’s also responsible for theatre classes, camps, in-school theatre residencies and outreach programs for young audiences and young artists, like CATCO is Kids, as well as drafting and implementing the production/programming budgets for company (CATCO & CATCO is KIDS).

The Ohio Wesleyan University graduate also volunteers his time in the arts.

“I serve as the President of the Advisory Board for the Marysville Summer Theatre Workshop (STW),” said Bishara, whose favorite place to eat in Columbus is the Refectory. “This organization is unique in the fact that all aspects of the production—including direction, choreography, music, set design, set construction, stage crew, marketing, publicity, administration, sponsorship and fundraising—are managed by the high school leadership team. An adult advisory council acts as a sounding board, leaving all creative and administrative decisions to the students.”

Joe was named to our annual list of 52 Young Professionals You Should Know in Columbus – one for every week in the year!
Meet the entire “Class of 2018” »