Alex Birnie

Executive Director of The Actors Center
alex.birnie@theactorscenter.org

Alex Birnie has been with The Actors Center for 10 years and was appointed Executive Director in 2019. He previously worked alongside founder J. Michael Miller, artistic director emeritus Ron Van Lieu, and Charles Tuthill.

Under Alex’s tenure, The Actors Center has significantly expanded its Resident Company and artistic programming, supporting the creative development of 250 professional actors and hosting residencies with 30 leading teachers, writers, directors, and filmmakers each year.

With a diverse background in performing arts, communications, technology, and economics, Alex has played a variety of roles in developing artistic programming, strategy, communications, and design for arts organizations, post-secondary institutions, and non-profits.

For four years, Alex served as the Founding Managing Director of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers, a national organization devoted to promoting the highest standards in actor training. With the Alliance, Alex helped develop the re-launch of its acclaimed Teacher Development Program and expansion to Los Angeles, also creating three teaching fellowships promoting greater diversity in the field.

He has previously worked both as a consultant and on staff with organizations including Miller Theatre at Columbia University and CU’s Arts Initiative, The Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin’s LaunchU Entrepreneurship Incubator, and with numerous individual artists and smaller firms. He has also worked as an associate with boutique public relations firm Aleba & Co. with clients that include the Yale School of Music, Lincoln Center, World Music Institute, and New York Festival of Song.

Alex is a graduate of Oberlin College & Conservatory, where he studied economics, theater, and music. He previously spent two years in his youth as a principal soloist with the Vienna Boys Choir. 

Alex currently serves on the advisory board for the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary in Garrison, NY and is also a member of the Climate Reality Project's Leadership Corps.