Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Kostroff.
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in New York City—a great place to be from. I fell in love with acting at an early age. But a complicated childhood, low self-esteem, anxieties, depression (a typical formula for actors) kept me from pursuing it as a profession. And then, even when I did pursue it, kept me from getting anywhere for a long time. Around the age of 30, I finally started making headway and started booking work—occasionally at first. Around 40, I suddenly realized I was making a living at it. And against all odds, I’ve been able to make a living at it ever since. A lot of my current teaching work is about empowering fellow actors and trying to alleviate some of the anxieties and self-doubt that plagued me early on. Nowadays, I’ve added acting, coaching, mentoring, and teaching to my artistic diet. I’ve also directed, been an advice columnist for actors, worked as a writer, and authored four books. Meanwhile, I continue to expand my acting work, doing bigger and more prestigious roles along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s the built-in challenges that come with an acting career: there’s never enough work to go around. And the business is neither fair, nor altruistic, nor consistent, nor logical, nor predictable. You just have to sign on for whatever the ride is.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m best known for my five-season role as Maury Levy on HBO’s legendary hit, The Wire. Obviously, I’m immensely proud and honored to have been part of that show. But there have been other roles I was proud of in other ways. My role on the series Banshee was one of my favorites because it was the kind of role I never get to play—a tattooed, smoking, drinking ex-con with a gravelly Southern accent. I’m also very proud to have toured with The Producers, playing 12 roles a night and understudying two of the leads, then touring in Les Miserables as the slimy comic villain, Thénardier.
For the past 20 years, I’ve been teaching a workshop that’s become very popular, Audition Psych 101, which is about the psychological side of auditioning. I’ve taught it all over the country as well as in Canada, and it’s now available as an online course.
Also thrilling, last year, my fourth book was published: The Stage Actor’s Handbook: Traditions, Protocols, and Etiquette for the Working and Aspiring Professional. It’s been selling like mad!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Playing Charlie Brown.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.auditionpsych101.com
- Instagram: michael_kostroff
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.kostroff.54
- Twitter: @therealkostroff
Image Credits
Vanie Poyey Peter Konerko
