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 person 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 28, 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.

“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