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MICHAEL THOMAS WALKER
CV
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts-Acting
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; 2012
Bachelor of Arts-Theatre
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; 2003
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
University of Montevallo
Associate Professor of Acting and Voice (Tenure Track)
Department Chair (2023-Present)
Montevallo, AL (2015-Present)
ACTING I FOR MAJORS
Primary Instructor
The course explores the study and practice of basic principles of realistic acting as outlined by Stanislavski. Students integrate course work with games, Uta Hagen Object exercises, and text work culminating in the performance of two monologues.
VOICE I
Primary Instructor
This exploration of vocal production for the theatre course utilizes Kristin Linklater’s and Catherine Fitzmaurice’s methods as its foundation. Students develop their voice through exploration and increase their appetite for vocal production by releasing tension, connecting to breath, and opening the actor’s natural resonance.
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
Primary Instructor
Students develop skills in discussing and interpreting the language of theatre, which involves a variety of symbol systems including verbal text, visual
imagery, color, line, lighting, etc. In addition, students will gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and human behavior by exploring how theatre is created within a larger cultural and social context.
DIRECTING I
Primary Instructor
This introduction to modern directing theory and strategies, includes script analysis, casting and rehearsal techniques, conceptual perspectives, and staging methods.
VOICE II
Primary Instructor
Course objective is to gain a proficiency in use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and it’s application to text. Students will acquire the tools, skills, resources, and processes of learning accents and dialects.
ACTING II
Primary Instructor
Course objective is to continue the principles explored in Acting I with emphasis on text work, scene work, and character development. Uta Hagen exercises are also interwoven through the course.
ACTING III
Primary Instructor
This course focuses on language-based study and practice of acting styles and the research tools available to actors. Work centers on Shakespeare and August Wilson.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
Primary Instructor
This course gives students the tools necessary to transition and adapt from acting for the stage, to acting for the screen through mock audition situations. Students used playback to develop their skills and evaluate their performances. Students also create and submit self-tapes.
DIRECTING III
Primary Instructor
This course provides an intense study of directing styles from various periods and theatrical movements. The course culminates in a One-Act Theatre Festival.
MUSICAL THEATRE STYLES II
Primary Instructor
This course teaches song interpretation, including in-depth integration of songs and scenes from American musical plays in a lab environment. The course culminates in a public performance/showcase of the students' work.
MUSICAL THEATRE STYLES III
Primary Instructor
This course explores contemporary musical theatre styles, specifically working on transitioning from scene/spoken dialogue to song. This course also improves the actor’s musical theatre auditioning technique.
SENIOR SHOWCASE
Primary Instructor
Worked with students to prepare musical theater material that would showcase them and their special skills/talents. The course culminates in a public performance/showcase of the students' work.
Nassau Community College
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Garden City, NY (2012-2014)
BASIC ACTING I FOR MAJORS AND MINORS
Primary Instructor
The course explores the study and practice of basic principles of realistic acting as outlined by Sanford Meisner. Students integrate course work into games, exercises, and text work.
Guest Lecturer
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ (2013-2014)
VOICE
Primary Instructor
Guest Lecturer for Dr. Heather Rasche and Deputy Chair, Barbara Marchant. Taught voice for the actor using the Fitzmaurice sequence, Shakespeare sonnet exercises, and various other exercises including a singing workshop for actors preparing for auditions.
Rutgers University
Graduate Teaching Assistant
New Brunswick, NJ (2009-2012)
BASIC ACTING I FOR MAJORS AND MINORS
Primary Instructor
The course explores the study and practice of basic principles of realistic acting, voice, and movement as outlined by Uta Hagen. Determine ability to integrate these principles into games, exercises, and introductory text.
BASIC ACTING II FOR MAJORS AND MINORS
Primary Instructor
This course continued the tenets of Basic Acting I through contact work and scripted work to build the student’s facility to truthfully respond to imaginary circumstances. Students are introduced to action/objective work and basic text analysis.
SPEECH I
Teaching Assistant
An introductory course which explores the basic principles of the Knight –Thompson Speechwork.
Guest Teaching Artist
George Street Playhouse
New Brunswick, NJ (2010)
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNING ACTORS
Primary Instructor
A combination of theatre games, songs, and introduction to rehearsal techniques for young actors. Class culminated with a presentation of songs.
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP FOR ADVANCED ACTORS
Primary Instructor
Students created their own musical using devised theater techniques and wrote out their own melodies and lyrics. Class culminated with a presentation of the self-produced musical.
Guest Teaching Artist, Huntsville High School
Huntsville, AL (2003, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2016)
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION TECHNIQUE
HOW TO CRAFT A CHARACTER
LABAN FOR ACTORS
BEGINNER’S STAGE COMBAT
Guest Lecturer, University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL (2003-2008)
AUDITION TECHNIQUE MASTER CLASS
CAREERS CLASS: HOW TO SURVIVE AS A PROFESSIONAL ACTOR
GRANTS
National Performance Network-Currently in Development
National Theatre Creation and Touring Grant-Currently in development
Grant supports the development of the project, costs and incentives needed to establish a plan for touring, and subsidies for presentation of the work. The funding is being used to create a devised theatre piece aboutthe #blacklivesmatter movement and the death of Michael Brown in conjunction with The Black Rep of St. Louis and 651 Arts.
National Performance Network
Forth Fund Grant
Building upon the NPN Creation Fund Grant, the Forth Fund Grant supports the development of newly commissioned performance work by providing resources, such as time, space and expertise, to artists and commissioning organizations to improve the overall quality of production of touring performance work in the United States and abroad.
COMMISSIONS and RESIDENCIES
VoxLab, Dartmouth College-2024
Reimagining of “The Glass Menagerie” through the lens of Gestalt psychology and transference therapy.
University of St. Joseph Residency-2017
Playwriting residency providing space, time, and resources to create new plays.
The St. Louis Black Rep-2015-2019
Commissioned to co-write and create “Canfield Drive”, a devised theatre piece about the #blacklivesmatter movement and the death of Michael Brown.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Scott Beard Leadership Circle (2023)
COPLAC hosted leadership, professional development intensive, and problem-based workshops for early career Chairs.
EDI Workshop (2023)
Birmingham activist and artist T. Marie King lead a special workshop for our faculty to discuss EDI best practices for higher education.
Anti-Racist Webinar
How to Decolonize Your Syllabi-SETC (2021)
Knight-Thompson Speechwork
May 2020-Experiencing Speech (Julie Foh and Andrea Caban)
December 2020-Phonetics Intensive (Andrea Caban and Julie Foh)
August 2021-Experiencing Accents (Tyler Seiple and Julie Foh)
Fulfills the first requirement in pursuit of KT Speech Work Certification Program
Voice, Andrea Haring-The Linklater Center
New York, NY (2018)
Voice and text workshop that explores how to free the natural voice and release vocal tension
Moment Work, Tectonic Theatre Company
ATHE-Boston, MA (2017-Barbara Pitts McAdams)
Technique of creating theatrical moments which lead to broader story-telling
Moment Work, Tectonic Theatre Company
New York, NY (2013-2014-Scott Barrow)
Technique of creating theatrical moments which lead to broader story-telling
On Camera Audition Technique, Paul Davis-Calleri Casting
New York, NY (2014)
Techniques on how to audition for On-Camera Film and Television.
Cold Reading Technique, Heidi Griffiths-Public Theater
New York, NY (2013)
A how-to guide to making smart and bold choices during a cold-read audition.
On Camera Technique, Matt Lawler
New York, NY (2012)
Techniques and tips on how to audition for On-Camera Commercials
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (2009-2012)
-ACTING
Meisner-Deborah Hedwall
Hagen-Billy Carden
Chekhov-Pam Berlin, Billy Carden
On-Camera-Pat McCorkle, Billy Serow
Script Analysis-David Letwin
Shakespeare-Tim Carroll, Dennis Turney
-DIRECTING
Amy Saltz
-MOVEMENT
Williamson-Jan Leys
Michael Chekhov-Lenard Petit, Michael Blake
-SHAKESPEARE
Dennis Turney
Tim Carroll
-STAGE COMBAT
J. Allen Suddeth
-VOICE
Fitzmaurice-Heather Rasche
-SPEECH
Knight/Thompson-Jane Guyer, Eric Singer
MISCELLANEOUS
Dramatic Literature-Lee Blessing
Theatre History-Eileen Blumenthal
Shakespeare Boot Camp, Tim Carroll
New Brunswick, NJ (2011)
A director’s approach to Shakespeare through strict interpretation of the iambic pentameter.
Scene Study, Sally Dunn-T. Schreiber Studios
New York, NY (2005)
Exploration of character behavior, activities, inner monologue, and emotional life through scene work.
Improvisation Workshop, Relapse Theater, Tim Orr
Atlanta, GA (2005)
Introduction to long-form improvisation
Stage Combat Workshop, Tiza Garland and David Leong
Beckley, WV (2003)
Unarmed and knife workshop
SERVICE
Homewood, AL Arts Council (2022-Current)
Executive Committee, Acting Focus Group, ATHE (2022-Current)
Committee Member, Black Heritage Committee (2021-Current) University of Montevallo
Committee Member, Faculty Development Advisory Committee (2018-Current) University of Montevallo
Committee Member, Admissions Committee (2016-Current) University of Montevallo
Committee Member, Concert and Lecture Committee (2018-Current) University of Montevallo
Member of Faculty Senate for Theatre Department (2020-2022)
Chair, Recruitment and Retention Committee-Theatre Department (2019-2021) University of Montevallo
Committee Member, College Night Committee (2017) University of Montevallo
Regional Trumbauer Theatre Festival Judge-High School Theatre Competitions (2015-2016)
Artistic Associate, New Light Theatre Project
Student Representative, (2012) Rutgers University
President, Alpha Psi Omega (2003) University of Alabama
PRODUCER
2022 Off-Broadway 59E59 Theater and Edinburgh Fringe Festival production of MARROW by Brian Quirk. Co-produced with Resolve Productions
2017 Irish National tour of Misterman by Enda Walsh. Co-produced with Resolve Productions
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Broadway World Denver Award
Best Director of a Play-God Of Carnage-201
NPR-Stories From the South
Performed selection from solo show BUBBA for NPR show in Little Rock, AR.
United Solo Theater Festival
Best Variety Show Award-BUBBA (Written and performed by Michael Thomas Walker)
Wildacres Residency Program
Recipient of the 2014 Wildacres Playwriting Residency which affords artists the solitude and inspiration needed to work on a new or current project.
Millay Colony for the Arts
Finalist for the summer playwriting residency
Planet Connections Festivity
Outstanding Solo Performance Award-BUBBA
Rutgers University
Phillip J. Levin Scholarship
Teaching Assistantship 2010-2012
Examiner’s Award for Excellence for Unarmed Stage Combat by David Brimmer
Off Off Broadway Review Award
Best Actor for The Mystery of Edwin Drood
University of Alabama
Marian Galloway Award for Distinguished Excellence in Undergraduate Acting, May 2001
Alan Bales Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Department of Theatre and Dance, May 2002
Department of Theatre and Dance Scholarship
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Collective, Artistic Partner (2024-Present)
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Associate Member (2018-Present)
Voice and Speech Trainers Association (2014-Present)
Actors Equity Association (2008-Present)
Screen Actors Guild (2012-Present)
Dramatists’ Guild (2012-Present)
Theatre Communications Group (2009-Present)
Resident Company Member of New Light Theatre Project (2012-Present)
Alabama Conference of Theatre and Speech (1999-2003, 2014-Present)
Southeastern Theatre Conference (1999-2005, 2014-Present)
Society of American Fight Directors (2000-Present)
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
Hairspray Thingamajig Theatre Company
God of Carnage Thingamajig Theatre Company
Little Shop of Horrors University of Montevallo
A New Brain University of Montevallo
A Midsummer Night’s Dream University of Montevallo
Urinetown University of Montevallo
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot University of Montevallo
Much Ado About Nothing University of Montevallo
Clybourne Park University of Montevallo
Best of Enemies Theatre Tuscaloosa
The 39 Steps Theatre Tuscaloosa
Hairspray Theatre Tuscaloosa
Songs For A New World Theatre West Virginia
Sidd NLTP Woodstock/Chicago Fringe
BIOHAZARD NAMI/United Solo Festival
Totes Guerrilla Theatre-NYC
Midsummer Night’s Dream University of Alabama
Romeo and Juliet Stages on the Sound Residency
So Beautiful George Street Playhouse Academy
Life is a Cabaret St. Rose College Summer Academy
VOICE & DIALECT COACH
The Little Foxes Dialect Coach Antaeus Theatre Company
The Weir Dialect Coach University of Montevallo
The Rocky Horror Show Dialect Coach University of Montevallo
Topdog/Underdog Dialect Coach Rutgers Theater Company
Machinal Dialect Coach Rutgers Theater Company
Two Gentlemen…Verona Vocal Coach Rutgers Theater Company
ACTING EXPERIENCE
THEATRE
Seussical The Musical Horton Networks Tours
Hairspray Edna Turnblad Networks Tours
Hairspray Edna Turnblad Walnut Street Theatre
She Reached for Heaven Blake Holt Red Mountain Theatre:Human Rights
Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham David Red Mountain Theatre:Human Rights
Avenue Q Brian Human Race Theatre
The Bourgeois Gentleman Master Tailor Jean Cocteau Repertory
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Princess Puffer Brooklyn Gallery Players
Thanksgiving Joe Fine Feathered Friends
The 24 Petey Dark Luna
Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham Dovid Red Mountain Theatre
Snore Wayne Looking Glass Theatre
The Vultures Doan Weasel Festival
In the Box Man Mile Square Theatre
The Civil War Abe TheatreworksUSA
The Music Man Marcellus Washborn Arrow Rock Lyceum
The Full Monty Dave Broadway Palm
Dave Little Theatre on the Square
TV TIME Michael New Light Theatre Project
Guys and Dolls Nicely Nicely Broadway Palm West
Nathan Detroit Galveston Musicals
Godspell Jeffrey Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Herb Little Theatre on the Square
Anything Goes Moonface Martin Little Theatre on the Square
Man of La Mancha Sancho Broadway Palm
You’re…Charlie Brown Charlie Brown Galveston Musicals
FILM/TV
Boardwalk Empire Fats HBO
Non-Stop Michael Tate Jaume Collet-Serra
Speck Lead Tom Cherones
Now That’s Cute Ron Daily Fiber Films
My Dirty Little Secret Donald Margolies Discovery ID
Spicy Dame Boss Macarony Productions
Game of Loans Robert Macarony Productions
The Struggle The Boss Kitchens and Calhoun
The Aristocrats John Heather Lawson
COMMERCIALS
Verizon Wireless Crazed Fan #2
BRUT Cologne Used Car Salesman
SPECIAL SKILLS
Basic Piano-
Seven years of piano training. Minored in music at the University of Alabama.