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BELLPORT, NY – January 9, 2026 — The Gateway, Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County, is thrilled to announce that Michael Baker will return to the organization full-time as Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director, beginning Monday.
Baker’s connection to The Gateway runs deep. Trained under the founder and renowned casting director and educator of The Gateway School for the Performing Arts, Robin Allan, he joined the Acting School faculty in the early 2000s and went on to lead both the school and the theatre’s casting operations beginning in 2014. A creative force within the organization, Baker also helped bring to life one of The Gateway’s most celebrated seasonal experiences — Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse.
After pursuing a family business opportunity in Florida in 2023, Baker returned home to Bellport this past fall and directed the 2025 Haunted Playhouse season. The reunion rekindled a collaboration that Executive Artistic Director Paul Allan calls “a homecoming in every sense of the word.”
“Michael’s creativity, generosity, and understanding of this community make him one of the true cornerstones of The Gateway,” said Allan. “He brings people together, students, artists, audiences, and he does it with both heart and purpose. Having him return to lead the Acting School and rejoin our artistic team is deeply meaningful for all of us.”
As Director of Education, Baker will focus on expanding educational opportunities, strengthening community engagement, and building pathways for young performers on Long Island.
Alongside Baker, Rachel Armitstead will continue as Casting Director, while also teaching and managing the Acting School. Armitstead has guided the program with steady leadership through recent seasons, and her partnership with Baker ensures both continuity and new creative energy as The Gateway prepares for an exciting 2026 season.
“Rachel’s dedication and insight have been invaluable,” said Allan. “She and Michael share a deep commitment to nurturing young performers, and together they are shaping a program that reflects both tradition and innovation.”
With Baker and Armitstead leading the way, supported by faculty including Kaitlyn LaGrega and our invaluable instructors, The Gateway School for the Performing Arts continues its legacy of exceptional training, mentorship, and opportunity for students across Long Island.
To learn more about acting classes and enrollment, visit www.TheGateway.org
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The Gateway
The Gateway, Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County, is Long Island’s flagship nonprofit arts institution, delivering Broadway-caliber productions, immersive seasonal experiences, and premier performing-arts education. For over 76 years, The Gateway has set the standard in talent, craft, and mentorship — building the region’s most resilient cultural ecosystem, under one roof, close to home.
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