In 2013, Hobson returned to Seattle to become artistic director of Balagan Theatre. He starred as Jean Valjean in Balagan's 2013 production of Les Misérables and directed Tony Award winner and former Next to Normal co-star Alice Ripley in an October 2013 production of Carrie. Hobson left Balagan Theatre to co-found a for-profit theatrical producing group with former Balagan executive director Jake Groshong. Balagan subsequently closed due to revenue issues.
