The University of South Dakota and the Black Hills Playhouse Board of Directors announced Tuesday that Michael Burgraff has been named executive director of Black Hills Playhouse.

Burgraff brings two decades of experience in the theater industry to the playhouse, where he will oversee production and day-to-day operations of the 62-year-old theater company in Rapid City. He most recently was managing director of the Fairmont Opera House in Fairmont, Minn., for more than 10 years.

"Michael was selected out of a strong pool of candidates during a national search," Daniel Guyette, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said. "He's the ideal person to lead the Black Hills Playhouse into the future."

The Black Hills Playhouse was founded in 1946 by Dr. Warren "Doc" Lee. A year later, The University of South Dakota began aiding the playhouse, which also oversees the Children's Theatre Company of South Dakota.

In addition to managing Fairmont Opera House, Burgraff has had various operational and production responsibilities, including assistant director of operations at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn., where he coordinated and supervised events for several venues; and as performance-facilities manager at Wichita State University, where he served as coordinator and supervisor for more than 500 events annually.

"I am honored to be affiliated with South Dakota's flagship university," he said. "At the west campus, we will create the memories of tomorrow while preserving the rich history of the land, culture and theater that has gained the Black Hills Playhouse a national reputation for excellence."

Beginning in June, the Black Hills Playhouse will produce five plays: "Dreams Carved in Stone," "Urinetown: The Musical," "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure," and "The Boys Next Door."

For more, including ticket information, reservations and discount opportunities, go to www.blackhillsplayhouse.com.