Michael Scholar Jr.'s Bio

Born and raised in Regina, Michael trained in the University of Regina’s Theatre Department before graduating with a BFA in Acting from the University of Alberta.  Moving to Vancouver in 2000, he is the Founding Artistic Producer of November Theatre, known for such alternative musicals theatre works as The Black Rider and Hard Core Logo: Live. The Black Rider toured across North America for over a decade and is the only show to ever win “Best Production” at the Sterling Awards (Edmonton), the Betty Mitchell Awards (Calgary) and the Jessie Awards (Vancouver) - while also being nominated for “Best Touring Production” at the Dora Awards (Toronto).  Hard Core Logo: Live is Michael’s stage adaptation of the film and book, with new music composed by Joe Keithley of legendary punk bank D.O.A. which received an Ovation Award Nomination for “Best New Work”.  Also with November Theatre, Michael wrote and directed Ana for “Hive 3” as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad, and “Killing Konundrum” for Caravan Farm Theatre’s Everyone collective morality project.

Directing credits include Fat Pig (Performance Works/Jessie Nomination); Humanity and No (Persephone Theatre); I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (Arts Club Theatre/Gateway Theatre/Presentation House); 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress (Presentation House); and the Fringe hit Barbie Screams, which he co-wrote. Michael was the writer in residence at Touchstone Theatre in 2010/2011.

Favourite acting credits include: The Black Rider, Hard Core Logo: Live (November Theatre); Heiner Müller’s Macbeth (Theatre Conspiracy); Refugee Hotel (Theatre Passe Muraille); Buddy (Arts Club Theatre); Little Mercy’s First Murder, Life After God (Touchstone Theatre); Tideline (Neworld Theatre/Touchstone); Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew, Romeo & Juliet (Bard on the Beach); Cloud Tectonics (Vancouver Playhouse/Pi Theatre); Twelfth Night, Merchant of Venice (Free Will Players); The Blue Orphan (Catalyst Theatre, UK Tour); The Edible Woman (Theatre Junction); and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Theatre Network). Michael has won the Sterling for “Best Lead Actor” and has been nominated for 3 Jessies for “Best Supporting Actor (Large Theatre)”, a Betty for “Best Performance in a Musical”, an Ovation Award for “Best Lead Performance” and he received the 2004 CAEA Emerging Artist Award.

Michael is thrilled to be back home in Regina in his new capacity as the Artistic Associate at Globe Theatre.