Good drama often involves unexpected moments. Michael ’11 experienced one in the fall of his freshman year when he was cut from varsity soccer. The cut, however, gave him the opportunity to explore some alternative options that season. Michael remembers thinking, "OK, alright, I am going to try out for the play because I have never done anything like that" after his athletic dreams were deferred, and despite his lack of experience, Michael found that "something happened during that audition." Since then, Michael has been in every Middlesex theatre production, with the exception of the spring musical in his freshman year.
Ironically, Michael maintains that he is “not an artist," or at least he does not consider himself one. Rather, he prefers to frame himself as a "thinker or sociologist," and it just so happens that his studies in human behavior and development manifest on the stage. Through acting, Michael admits he has done a considerable amount of growing, in part because Theatre Department Head Tom Kane "gave me those chances to develop." Although Michael has learned how to show range on stage, he reflects that the most valuable lesson he has taken away is "the importance of practice and commitment," virtues he has applied to both his studies and his time on the varsity soccer team.
Now, as a senior, Michael is exploring more uncharted territory, hoping to continue learning about human behavior. In his next project, he will be directing an abridged version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Michael admits that this is a challenging undertaking, but he is confident the experience will be positive, as he will be working with veteran Middlesex performers such as Katie '12, Tristan '12, and Harry '13, and drawing upon Technical Director Ryan DuBray's sets and lighting for inspiration.
The one-act play will focus on the tragedy’s final act, but in order to account for the previous four acts, Michael is planning to supplement the stage show with a video montage. The multimedia project will also be altering how viewers experience the play by modernizing the production. Michael explains he will "model the video segment afte
