Maura Tighe is the Artistic Director at Boston Arts Academy.  Maura began her career as a theatre director after graduating from Emerson College with a BFA. She worked as a stage manager and assistant director on high-profile shows in NYC and then transitioned to directing experimental theatre, new works, musical reviews, and Off-Off Broadway productions. Since moving back to Boston, She has directed many productions at BAA and at New England area theaters. She has also worked in film and television as a Casting Director and started her own highly successful company - Maura Tighe Casting. Her professional casting credits include many feature films and independent, local projects such as the original Queer Eye and shows for PBS/WGBH, Bravo, Oxygen, ABC Family, and others. She transitioned to become a full-time faculty member at Boston Arts Academy after 15 years as a private acting and voice coach for television and film. BAA  has been the perfect synthesis of her passions: working with young people to create theatre and advocating for their access to high-quality arts experiences. Maura has lectured at many local colleges and universities, including Boston College, UMass, Emerson, and Brandeis.