Episode 31: Michael Kevin Baldwin

Michael oozes moxie and uses his passion for the stage to help others cultivate their own. He believes educating people of all ages in the theater arts is empowering, cathartic, and fosters empathy—and moxie.He loves drama—on the stage. And he loves the community that surrounds it. He has found his bliss at this intersection of community and theater and derives energy and inspiration from the constant collaboration the theater requires and being known to those who surround him. <br/><br/>Michael is the Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education of the Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT. He first performed on the stage of the Playhouse when he was 10 years old, and it brings him immense joy to now be a member of the staff. He wears many hats at the Playhouse, including teacher, director, actor, and playwright. Directing credits at the Playhouse include Pride and Prejudice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, Jr., Frozen, Jr., and Marie Antoinette, starring Lauren Ambrose. For the 2023 summer season, Michael will be directing the mainstage production of Oliver.<br/><br/>His performance credits at the Sharon Playhouse include Tony Whitcomb in Shear Madness (Broadway World CT Award - Best Performer in a Play, Berkie Nominee - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play) Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Mordred in Camelot, and Bobby in A Chorus Line.<br/><br/>As Director of Education, Michael has initiated in-school performing arts residencies at Indian Mountain School, Sharon Center School, and Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS) and partnered with Project SAGE. Michael co-created and directed the play #BraveSpace, which premiered at New York University's Forum on Ethnodrama. <br/><br/>Michael has conducted masterclasses and delivered speeches nationwide, most notably as a keynote speaker for The Educational Theatre Association's  Theater In Our Schools Initiative. In 2022, he was his high school alma mater's commencement speaker.<br/><br/>This episode is proudly sponsored by Kindred Property Care and North East Ford.