It all began with a dream.
The first film that I became obsessed with was James Cameron’s Titanic. At the ripe young age of 3, I memorized the entire movie, word for word. (Seriously. Ask my mother.) I remember specifically loving the scene where Jack is at the front of the ship, arms out in the wind, yelling “I’m the king of the world!” That moment transfixed me. The freedom, the feeling of euphoria, the triumph of knowing that there was finally a world of opportunity available to him in America. The excitement at the vast amount of possibilities the future could hold. It was symbolic for me. And it’s what inspired me to want to become an actor.
When I was eleven, I signed up to be in a youth theater production of Willy Wonka. It was the first show I ever auditioned for, not knowing if I would even enjoy it. I was cast as an Oompa Loompa, which was not exactly what I had envisioned for myself. But after our first rehearsal, I was hooked. The idea of creating a character and being part of something bigger than myself was intoxicating. It fulfilled a need to create and play. From that moment on, I decided to dedicate my life to the arts. That first show led to a second, and then a third, and then morphed into years of exploring and honing my talent, while also discovering the facets of myself that I never knew I had. That journey led me to where I am today, living in New York City and working to make that precious dream into a reality.
Pursuing a career in the arts requires a tremendous amount of persistence, focus, and bravery, and at times it feels like an uphill battle. But I’ve learned that every rejection leads me one step closer to hearing that “Yes!” Every audition is a chance to express myself and share my passion with the world. I see every opportunity as a way for me to learn more about myself and the world around me, and to grow and challenge people’s perceptions. Art is meaningful, powerful, emotional, and a reflection of our society. It shows us where we are, where we’ve been, and where we can go, and I want to be part of shaping that future. I want to look back at my accomplishments one day and know that I left my mark on this world, and that I changed it for the better. I want to make people laugh, cry, and feel the same amount of joy and euphoria that I felt all those years ago.
The world is a scary place right now, especially for minorities. I’ve been incredibly vocal and active on many of the issues we’re facing, and I firmly believe that by leading with and showing others kindness, we can change the world for the better. The arts have never been more important than they are now, and what will come out of this period of our collective consciousness will be incredibly powerful, and it’s what we need. There are so many beautiful stories waiting to be told, and I hope to have the opportunity to voice my own and amplify others. The future is a blank page.
Let’s make it mean something.
With Love and Passion,
Michael ♡
Fun Facts About Me:
I’m a European mix of French, Italian, English, Scottish, Polish, Welsh, and a tiny bit Irish
I’ve been in 40+ stage productions, ranging from musicals and revues, to contemporary plays and Shakespeare
I can quote Titanic, Finding Nemo, and Mean Girls word for word
I know every word to every Taylor Swift and Adele song (my two favorite pop queens)
My elbows are double-jointed/hypermobile
My favorite color is blue
My hometown is nicknamed “Appletown” because of its many apple orchards
I ran into Lin-Manuel Miranda on the street immediately after seeing Hamilton on Broadway (he waved and I screamed)
I met Shangela while working on an episode of Katy Keene
I could eat Fettuccine Alfredo every night and never get sick of it (it’s the Italian in me)
I prefer Dunkin’ over Starbucks (I’m a New England boy, what can I say?)