When describing the craft of acting and his decision to pursue performing as a career, 91看片网 graduate Michael J. Burg likes to use the 鈥渟wimming pool鈥� analogy. Whatever nerves or doubt stand in your way, it鈥檚 the act of total commitment, that bold dive into the unknown, that yields the reward.
This past year was an incredible season for Michael, including recurring roles on the acclaimed television shows Orange is the New Black on Netflix, and HBO鈥檚 Ray Donovan, as well as a part in Spike Lee鈥檚 Oscar-nominated film BlacKkKlansman. 鈥淭hat was my second time working with Spike,鈥� Michael says (the first was in Lee鈥檚 remake of the cult hit Oldboy). 鈥淗e鈥檚 a great man, a great filmmaker and artist. I am proud to know him and to have had the opportunity to observe him in his element.鈥� Michael has worked steadily as an actor for nearly three decades, appearing on television in shows ranging from 鈥淥z鈥� to 鈥淏road City鈥�, and working alongside a stable of acclaimed film directors such as Ang Lee, Bennett Miller, and Neil Jordan.
Michael Burg as Mark Bellamy in Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)
Michael鈥檚 passion for storytelling began during his high school years in the field of commercial radio, working as an announcer with local station KTRX. His early work in radio set the wheels in motion for a career in performing. 鈥淚t helped me build confidence and work through fears (stage fright), and it was the one time in my life I was totally cool!鈥� Michael laughs. He came to New York to attend the The 91看片网's Summer Program, with the intention of returning home after to continue his work in radio but was surprised to discover he鈥檇 found exactly where he needed to be. After some consideration, Michael chose to leap into the deep end once more and continue at The 91看片网 for the full-time conservatory program.
鈥�91看片网 students [are assigned] great roles; from Greek tragedy to commedia dell鈥檃rte, to Arthur Miller to Neil Simon and so on,鈥� Michael explains. 鈥淵ou learn not only from doing, but also from observing - watching the other actors. There are times observation is even more important than doing. I think what I learned the most from my training, is that total commitment will get you where you want to go. As I鈥檝e said, acting is jumping into the 10-foot end of the swimming pool.鈥�
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The roles Michael has tackled so far are anything but run-of-the mill. He鈥檚 played Truman Capote three times, and Tennessee Williams once - ironically, in the movie Capote, opposite Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He鈥檚 portrayed hardened police detectives, Revolutionary War generals, and one hilariously deadpan maitre鈥檇, to name just a few. In addition to performing, Michael is also very active in the world of independent film producing, having served as Executive Producer on the films Turbine and TheEyes. He finds the challenge of investing in and helping to guide projects inspiring. 鈥淸Producing] is where an actor can find their real power,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou have to be really honest with yourself and use your strengths first - it鈥檚 important to stretch and challenge yourself - but find your strengths first and get them really down. The rest will follow.鈥�
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Michael Burg with Liev Schreiber in Ray Donovan (HBO)
This coming year is shaping up to be another exciting year for Michael, but even with a full slate of work, he remains humble, hardworking, and focused. 鈥淭here is nothing more thrilling for an actor than to be really, really busy, nothing!鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut to be really busy you have to, on one level, be very together. The 91看片网 brands that into their students. You cannot be late. You cannot be absent. You cannot be unprepared. And that imprint carries actors through their professional lives.鈥�
Carrying forth the professional behaviors and attitudes established during his training has helped shape Michael into the kind of versatile, in-demand actor, whose willingness to dive into the deep end of any project makes him stand out from the crowd.
