Back to the Firebird page

Michael Sturtz

Michael Sturtz, founder and executive director of The Crucible, is known for his ability to bring impossible plans to a triumphant conclusion. His projects have included multimedia sculptures, daring fiery stunts, unusual vehicle modifications and, the largest and most improbable of all—The Crucible itself. True to character, Michael decided to celebrate The Crucible’s 5th anniversary by combining the organization’s welding, glass blowing, and fire performance with a completely different art form: opera. Michael’s mother dragged him to numerous operas when he was a child, and he often found them boring. Recently, Michael has turned his creative focus to fire theater.The Crucible’s two Fire Operas and first Fire Ballet made history. This year, Michael is producing and directing The Crucible’s second Fire Ballet, adding the title of Ballet Director to an already eclectic list of accomplishments, which also includes holding a Motorcycle World Land Speed Record. (www.michaelsturtz.com & www.thecrucible.org/about/diemoto.html )