Michael Ritzel is a music and theatre educator dedicated to accessible, high-quality arts education. He currently serves as Director of Education, Technical Director, and Building and Grounds Manager for the Olathe Civic Theatre Association, where he oversees educational programming, facility management, and technical production. His scenic designs for A Man of No Importance (2023) and Bus Stop (2025) earned recognition, with both productions receiving awards for outstanding set design. In 2025, he was honored with the Smith-Moyer Award for exceptional service to OCTA.

Michael will complete a Master of Music Education degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2026, and holds a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University and dual undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Secondary Education from Fort Hays State University.

He has taught K–8 general music, band, choir, and string orchestra, and maintains a private voice studio focused on adolescent male singers. His academic research is aimed at supporting music educators without formal theatrical training, through a series of professional development workshops entitled Everything I Never Learned About (Technical) Theatre. He has also coached technical theatre, scenic carpentry, and scenic painting at Bishop Miege Catholic High School.

Michael is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Educational Theatre Association, and is committed to fostering inclusive, hands-on, and innovative approaches to music and theatre education in both school and community settings.