Cancer Sun / Pisces Moon / Taurus Rising

You can call me Mike, if you’d like

Ever since I could walk and talk, I wanted to perform for people. I fell in love with theatre when I was in high school and was given my first directing opportunity when I was 16. I loved embodying a story and making my family and friends laugh - or react how they reacted! I got a small taste of film/TV when I was a child, working on set of 90210 and doing a commercial for a Disneyland Hotel. But as my family kept growing we moved further and further from LA and I was told to wait till I was older to get into acting. I was “bitten by the theatre bug” as they say when I was 15 and desperate to get involved in something creative again. To my surprise, I found myself thriving in this new environment. I had finally found a good group of friends who I could be myself with and a creative outlet where I was comfortable and able to take risks, challenge myself, learn from failures, and had been given leadership roles that would inspire me to forge a new path for myself; being a theatre director, educator, actor.

As a theatre artist, telling a vast variety of stories and the thrill of performing fills me to the brim with joy. Directing brings me this joy and more because I can express myself artistically while cultivating community through collaboration and discovery. In 2013, myself and a few friends started Ghost Light Theatre, a theatre collective in Hesperia, California comprised of local artists who shared the desire to engage with diverse and contemporary works, developing our crafts, uplifting our community’s theatre scene, and providing an outlet for up-and-coming artists. We produced eleven productions from 2014 to 2020, seven of which I directed including; The Pillowman, Den of Thieves, Dog Sees God, Romeo & Juliet, and Macbeth.

As a teacher, I am dedicated to creating a space where students feel safe, empowered, and inspired. I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity, leading with joy and professionalism, and strive to bring a balance of fun and rigor through active and creative lessons. I believe theatre to be one of the best outlets for self-discovery, and the most fulfilling work I have done has been in the classroom.  It is also important that I keep my artist and educator cups as equally full as possible, for the work I do as an actor/director also informs and enhances my teaching.

Before moving to Seattle, I was Department Chair of Theatre and a full-time Theatre Instructor for Encore High School for the Arts (Hesperia, CA) teaching Career Technical Education  (CTE credential) acting and stage tech classes for grades 7-12. For the five years I taught, I helped revamp the Jr. High Playhouse program, was director of International Thespian Troupe 7755, was the advisor for the High School Theatre Troupe team, and directed 2 productions a year including: 13 the Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, Seussical, Little Shop of Horrors, Twelfth Night, and Almost, Maine. I also served on the board of the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California, and have adjudicated and taught for various theatre festivals and competitions across Southern California. For 14 years, I have worked with kids ages 5-17 in community theatre, middle and high schools, and performing arts summer camps.