At Sunday night’s Tony Awards Ceremony, few people knew that one of west Texas’ native born would win the Best Director award. Michael Arden grew up in Midland and from an early age displayed a love of the arts and music.
He began his acting career in Midland Community Theater’s Pickwick Players and later went on to study at Juilliard School of Performing arts in New York City. From there his hard work helped him gain recognition in several Broadway plays, including his run in "Big River" on Broadway. Michael sang alongside and with Barbra Streisand on her 2007 First Ever European Tour. In 1999 he received the Interlochen Arts Academy "Maddy" Summer Artist Award. He starred in the Twyla Tharp/Bob Dylan Broadway musical, The Times They Are A-Changin' (September 2006). Then onto TV and movies. Michael also is know for his roles in Source Code (2011), Bride Wars (2009) and The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012), as well as a TV role in Anger Management (2012) and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2019).
Michael took his skill in music and acting to branch out into directing, for two productions he received Tony nominations for before receiving his latest for the Tony Award winning production of Parade, in which he was nominated and won for Best Director of a Musical. He has been married to Andy Mientus since August of 2016.
Michael is another shining example of the talent that springs from the dry west Texas soil.
Comments