Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Kushner.
Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was younger, all I wanted to do was tell stories in a theatrical setting. In Kindergarten, before I even knew what a casting director was, I would cast my friends in Cinderella or Mary Poppins — it was innocent, just telling them I think they’d be a good Mary Poppins.
By the time I was seven, Titanic had come out in theatres. My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Samuels was exhausted hearing me talk about it, so she sent me to the library to research a different shipwreck. My grandma, who picked me up on Tuesdays, got an earful from me as I told her all I learned about the Andrea Doria. When we got home, we sat at the typewriter and wrote our own film based on the Andrea Doria. She credited me as a writer, director, producer, and actor. Little did I know that was about to become the basis of my career. Well, a few years later.
Flash forward to when I was nine years old and my grandma saw a newspaper ad for a local children’s theatre. They were doing Mary Poppins. A month later, I was playing Michael Banks and I was bit by the theatre bug. My life would forever be changed. Since I’m nine years old, I have been associated with the theatre — and at this moment, I’m 31 years old. I have learned to love, develop empathy, develop jealousy, have my heart broken, experienced low lows, and some of the greatest, ethereal, spiritual highs.
Because of the influence of my grandma crediting me as the producer, director, writer, and actor, that’s how I approached my whole career. To this day, I am an award-winning photographer, producer, actor, writer, podcaster, and educator. I was introduced to being a multi-hyphenate as my first introduction into the industry — there’s no other way for me to operate.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! I always say I’ve cried only twice in the industry. One, when I didn’t get a head mic when I played Kenickie in Grease at 10 years old. The other when I didn’t book on 13 on Broadway. I sang “Hey There Delilah” and all Jason Robert Brown could say was, “Michael, what do you really sing?” I then broke out into “I Love A Piano” by Irving Berlin. I didn’t get the part.
I, of course, have cried many, many other times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Michael Kushner is NYC’s leading multi-hyphenate and the Executive Producer of the EMMY Nominated series Indoor Boys. His book, How to Be a Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate, is being published by Routledge Publishing of the Taylor & Francis Group with an expected release of Spring of 2022. In true multi-hyphenate form, Michael served as the Director of Programming for The Green Room 42, providing the space with sold-out programming post-pandemic. Performance: On the Town at Barrington Stage (Pre Broadway, Directed by John Rando), Much Ado About Nothing at Barrington Stage (Directed by Julie Boyd), Sons on the Prophet at GableStage (Directed by Joe Adler). He is the creator of his one-man show, Moo With Me (Directed by Max Crumm).
In June of 2021, Michael’s one-person musical cabaret Michael Kushner Sings His Hits for Pride was part of 54 Below’s reopening programming as the industry opens after the CoVid-19 pandemic. Photography: Featured in The NYTimes, Vogue, The Tony Awards, Playbill, and more. Creator of The Dressing Room Project. Michael has photographed Idina Menzel, Julie Andrews, and many more notable artists. Producing: Emmy Nominated web series, Indoor Boys, created by Wes Taylor and Alex Wyse, XaveMePlease, starring Isaac Powell (Frameline43 Festival in San Fran). Michael is one of the founding members of Musical Theatre Factory, currently in residency with Playwrights Horizons, and was awarded the first-ever MTF Builder Award. Michael produced and directed (as well as performed in) the sold-out evening of 54 Celebrates Mel Brooks, starring Richard Kind, Veanne Cox, and more.
During CoVid-19, Michael has stayed active in the theatre community by serving as Director of Photography and producing virtual events such as Moments in the Woods (A Virtual Gala for the HFWAA featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, nominated for a BroadwayWorld Award), Betsy Wolfe’s A Pants Optional Holiday, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play featuring The Skivvies with Laguna Playhouse, and Leslie Kritzer’s Holiday Show for The Actors’ Home. Active participant with Covenant House. In 2020, Michael served as 2020 KeyNote speaker for Florida Thespians. Michael was recently awarded the 2020 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Ithaca College. Beginning in the fall of 2022, Michael begins teaching theatre business to the advanced NYU performance students at The Lee Strasberg Institute. www.dearmultihyphenate.com or www.michaelkushnerphotography.com. Podcasts: Dear Multi-Hyphenate and My Broadway Memory with Broadway Podcast Network. Proud AEA Member. Ithaca College BFA Musical Theatre. @themichaelkushner on IG.
I think the thing that separates me from everyone else is my ‘Why’ statement. I produce non-quotidian, queer, Jewish artistry in the theatre, tv, and film industries which positively affects the world around me in a global perspective.
What does success mean to you?
Happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michaelkushnerphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/themichaelkushner
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-multi-hyphenate/id1432770164
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Image Credits
Michael Russell Photography and Ryan Doyle Photography
