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Bio
Michael, a native of Denver has worked as Actor, Stage Manager, Scenic Designer, Playwright, Director and Teacher in theatre and film for over thirty five years here and across the country.As Scenic Designer Michael has designed scenery for every major and Community Theater in the Denver metro area. Michael has also designed three national tours. Michael served as the resident designer for the Helen Bonfils Theater, Steamboat Repertory Theatre, Stagewest, Backstage Theatre, Creede Repertory Theatre and The Shadow Theatre Company, his work has also been featured at The Avenue Theatre, Curious Theatre Company, Aurora Fox Theatre, The University of Denver and the University of Colorado. He is the Designer in Residence at The Lone Tree Arts Center.
Michael is known locally for his Directing of “Paul Robeson”, “Unmerciful Good Fortune”, “Two Rooms”, “Agnes of God”, “Parallel Lives” Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and “Greater Tuna”. Michael directed “Dancing at Lughnasa” for the Hunger Artists Ensemble winner of the Denver Drama Critics Circle award for Best Production. He recently directed “The 39 Steps” and “Metamorphoses” as an educator at Abilene Christian University. He has won awards for his designs of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” from the Kennedy Center and the Meterie Award for his design of “Lend Me a Tenor”.
As playwright Michael’s production of “Ghostlight” was premiered by The Everyman Theatre Company in 2005.
Michael is the recipient of the Denver Post’s 2004 Theatre Person of the Year award.
Teaching Interests
On Teaching in the Arts:
I firmly believe that the desire to express oneself, our emotions, our dreams and passions is elemental to our very being. Throughout our work, our dress, our choice of associates, everyone without exception has an insistent desire for self expression. Each person is born with a basic 'Artistic' essence of expression and I believe Art is as hard wired into us as self preservation. It is the fulfillment of that expression that enlightens the individual personally.
With this personal belief in mind, we cannot teach the student of theatre to be an artist, but rather we can inspire them through the disciplines it requires to refine their Art. The student will be best served by providing them with the methodology, the tools and techniques which are needed to succeed as designers, actors or directors. The goal is to reveal to the student that within their education lays a path to a greater fulfillment of personal artistic expression. The contract between student and instructor is essentially a relationship which is designed to illuminate the abilities of the student.
One can teach the concrete subjects such as Stagecraft or Drafting, but the more esoteric subjects such as Scenic Design or Acting or Directing must be and can only be 'encouraged'. I believe this can best be accomplished by guiding the student into 'binding themselves' to the work. I believe it is essential to encourage the conviction that what the individual brings to their work, the amount of artistic discipline, hard work and respect, ultimately reveals the character of the 'self'. In other words, instilling a sense of personal pride in one's work will illustrate to the world: this is the best of 'who' I am. The primary goal of the teacher is, I believe, to inspire the personal discipline of artistic values and points of view and that within this higher pursuit lays the seeds of greater personal success in the Arts.
Office Hours
Friday - [09:30 to 11:00]