Dear Multi-Hyphenate
Listen up. Catch up.
What the listeners have to say…
“As a playwright and an actor and a health and wellness coach and personal trainer, I have moments where I feel such intense imposter syndrome because I can’t possibly be passionate about all these things, let alone proficient at all of these things, at the same time. And I thought, “What would Michael say about this? Wouldn’t he say to own your abilities as a multi-hyphenate?” And suddenly I felt much better! Because the work that you’ve done and that you’ve chosen to share with others has truly transformed my line of thinking and broadened my horizons. What I love about the work you’re doing is that it’s not simply about answering each call one by one and leaving the last calling behind, but rather about answering each call and allowing each thing that inspires you to build on the other things that inspire you, as you stitch together the bizarre and fascinating patchwork of your life.”
- Dani Stoller, NYTimes Featured Playwright, Actress, and more.
Did you know Dear Multi-Hyphenate is both a podcast AND a workshop?
“Michaels’s Dear Multi-Hyphenate workshop is a fast-paced, positive self-awareness bootcamp for artists of every age. He has an impressive ability to help artists clarify purpose, enhance their strengths, and master the art of “netweaving” (vs. networking) to make lasting connections with collaborators and fellow artists. Dear Multi-Hyphenate is the perfect workshop for young artists, or any one feeling boxed-in in a career— you’ll leave feeling refreshed, reaffirmed, and ready to boldly pursue your next project or career adventure with inspired confidence.”
- Lindsay Warfield, State Director of Florida State Thespians
A LETTER FROM THE MULTI-HYPHENATE…
Dear Reader,
Hi there, I’m a multi-hyphenate.
A multi-hyphenate is an artist who has multiple proficiencies that cross pollinate to help flourish professional capabilities.
My personal hyphens include performance, photography, producing, and writing. In doing so, I am able to use my income to influence each aspect of my artistic identity.
I’ve always done many things in the theatre industry. As someone who has been in the industry for 20 years, even though I am only 29, I wanted to explore and hone all the different things that make me a well rounded artist.
Multi-hyphenation takes courage, mistakes, identity, and risk. At first I thought I could only be an actor, but quickly learned pigeon-holing myself was the death of possibility. Imagine if Lin Manuel Miranda decided he was just an actor. I decided to throw spaghetti against the wall, and it turns out, a lot sticks.
It’s never too early to start finding an artistic identity. It takes a long time as there is so much to discover and we never stop learning. Friends, I am the CEO of my own artistic career. My hyphens aren’t my hobbies. I make living off of what I do without the need of a survival job. In 2020, the need to use all of your proficiencies is important for an artist because creativity becomes boundless.
It takes the right tools to be a multi-hyphenate, and I have all the little goodies to pass around. I’m like the Dolly Levi of artistic freedom. Multi-hyphenation, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around, encouraging young things to grow.
As artists, we are often bogged down with negativity, and negativity never helps me see the end goal. And now with life shifting after CoVid-19, there seems to be a reset button pressed on all of us. But NOW is the time to meld manifestation and multi-hyphenation. Try it all. Do it well. Start it now.
And now it’s my turn to give it back to you. Even while the industry is shut down, we as artists are not. We adapt and continue to tell our stories… but how? How do we carry on when it seems like there’s nothing happening. We are like lava - and even though the volcano isn’t active, we are still below the surface waiting to explode.
So - coach with me! Take my class! Listen to my podcast! Follow my inspiring Instagram! I am here, a useful tool for you to keep working. No one can tell you when to create - only you can. Follow that voice. Follow that impulse. Follow your heart.
xo
Michael
Have a story worth sharing. Be on my podcast.
Fill out the form and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Even if coming on the show doesn’t work out, there are plenty of ways we can work together. We’ll figure it out.