Q & A with Michael McGurk

BB101 is thrilled to bring you Michael McGurk. A triple threat with excellent broadway credits. Read about his experience at Boston Conservatory and get his advice on conquering Broadway!

BB: Where did you got to college for theatre and/learn the trade in order to move to NYC to pursue theatre as a career?

MM: I received a strong foundation in Musical Theatre growing up in Pittsburgh. There, I trained after school at the Pittsburgh CLO's Academy of Musical Theatre. I had great teachers at a young age. I then went on to receive my BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory.

BB: As far as schooling/training  what were some great attributes to studying there?

MM: The Boston Conservatory is a great 'Triple Threat' program. It was one of the few conservatories I found that had excellent training in dance, in addition to acting and singing. I attribute that as to why I was able to work as soon as I got to NY.

BB: What is one thing that you learned while actively pursuing a NY stage career that you wish you would have known/learned before moving to the city that you could impart to others? 

MM: Looking back, the only regrets I have are shows I didn't go after. Shows I had cast myself out of without auditioning for. Allow the ones in charge to decide if you're too short or too blonde for their show. You don't necessarily know what they're looking for. They might not know either!

BB: How was the transition from going from college to pursuing a NY career?

MM: Boston Conservatory had a college showcase in NY from which I did well and signed with an agent. That made my transition to NY much easier. But plenty of friends did not have those opportunities and still managed to start a career for themselves. Having an agent just made things easier. But you have to be aggressive regardless. The truth is I started being aggressive during my senior year in college when I'd sneak down from Boston to NY to audition for Broadway shows. That made it easier by the time I actually moved to NY the following year.

BB: How/when did you get your first Broadway job?

MM: During my senior year in college, I flew into NY to audition for Jay Binder for the Broadway productions of The Sound Of Music and High Society. I didn't book either one but did well. Fast forward to the following year out of college and Binder cast me in my Broadway debut- the original company of Susan Stroman's revival of The Music Man. That was a dream come true!

BB: Can you offer a piece of audition advice?

MM: The best audition advice I have is to do your homework. Preparation leads to confidence. And don't take anything personally. It's a business.

BB: Do you still train/work on your craft?

MM: I work on my craft all the time! Once you get to the city, find teachers that you crave and then flock to them. 2 of my favorites are Anthony Abeson's scene study class at the Producers Club, and Natalya Stavros' ballet class at Broadway Dance Center. I've been going to her class for years. I believe continued growth and improvement is what leads to longevity in the business.

BB: Any words of inspiration or anything else you want to say/impart?

MM: The business does work out and dreams do come true. You have to make it happen.

Michael McGurk- Broadway: The Wedding Singer (original cast), The Music Man (original revival cast); Off Broadway: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (Peccadillo Theatre Company); First National Tour: Dr. Dolittle (Jip); Regional: Pittsburgh CLO (2012 Gene Kelly Distinguished Alumni Award Winner), Sacramento Music Circus, Goodspeed Opera House, Barrington Stage Company, Denver Center Theatre Company, Walnut St Theatre, Houston TUTS, North Shore Music Theatre, Stages St. Louis, North Carolina Theatre. Michael has performed on The Tony Awards twice. He holds a BFA from The Boston Conservatory.