Bainbridge Performing Arts has announced former board member Mark A. Nichols as the organization’s new technical director.

“Working on staff with BPA is like a homecoming of sorts for me,” Nichols said when asked about his new role.

“I started in theatre and music very young and pursued it in my formal academic training,” he said. “Although my corporate entertainment career occupied center stage for three decades, I kept performing arts active in the wings. I always intended to return to my roots and also to teach.

“Now everything has come full circle: I finally get to realize both intentions in an organization close to my heart, with people for whom I have great fondness and respect, and for a community I am pleased to serve. I could not be happier or more honored to be given this opportunity.”

After getting his BFA in drama, Nichols served as performing arts director for Spirit Square, promoting and designing hundreds of productions. He later served as project/show producer for Disney, Universal Studios and others.

In 2012, he left corporate entertainment, got his theatre MFA, and moved to Bainbridge Island, where he’s enjoyed working with BPA (on the board and helping with shows) and BARN (serving as their first executive director).

Most recently at BPA, Nichols designed lighting for “Building the Wall” and scenery for “Xanadu.”

This summer, Nichols expands his role into teaching various forms of stagecraft in BPA Theatre School’s new Teen Tech Boot Camp, which runs July 13 through Aug. 11.

In this class, students will take the lead behind the scenes, gaining practical and applied learning as well as becoming qualified to pursue leadership roles in the tech program at Bainbridge High School.