Daily Inspiration: Meet Gavin Michaels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gavin Michaels. 

Hi Gavin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Well, hey there! I’m Gavin Michaels, and I’m a classically trained actor and a pop-punk/emo musician. You wouldn’t expect much correlation between the two, but there’s surprisingly large overlap in themes. I grew up in the pouring rains of Seattle WA, and I moved out to the equally stormy Cleveland OH about two years ago. 

I’ve been acting since I was a young lad, with my big breakout role of Toy Soldier no. 3 in a community theatre production of Pinocchio. Since then, have been very fortunate to work in a variety of TV, Film, and Theatrical productions. I find my favorite roles involve sword dueling, dark humor, and dying – which is another way of saying Shakespeare is a passion of mine. In 2021 I moved to Cleveland to get my Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Case Western Reserve University / Cleveland Playhouse, which is one of the top 10 MFA Acting programs in the US. 

Musically, I discovered punk music and the mosh pit when I was about fifteen, and I’ve gone from watching my favorite bands from the sidelines to playing in a few friends’ bands to writing, producing, and performing my own music. Though I like to experiment with a variety of genres, one thing I always try to keep consistent is a connection between the audience and performer. I think the reason we go see live music is for a collective experience, and I try to make my live shows as interactive and memorable as possible. 

Cleveland continues to surprise me every day. I love the architecture here, I love the history, and I love the bloody people! Being here has made me appreciate all the amazing things about this city that, for some reason, no one outside of Cleveland seems to know? I tell my friends back home we have a world-class orchestra here, FREE internationally recognized art museum and the largest performing arts district outside of NYC. Then they all kind of gawk and go “Cleveland? That’s all in Cleveland???” I’m very grateful to be here on my journey, and especially for the lifelong friends I’ve made along the way. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t incredibly blessed in terms of my life circumstances that allow me to do what I do. I had parents who (while perhaps a bit apprehensive about me pursuing an artistic career) were tremendously supportive of me and my dreams. Not only that, they equipped me with the practical skills necessary to make sure I can achieve success. 

Another hard thing are the kinds of sacrifices you don’t anticipate when you first get into the industry. Moving across the US and leaving my friends and family behind was really hard, and this won’t be the last time it happens. You miss out on your friends’ and family’s lives too. Inevitably you get contracted for a production on the other side of the country, and you have to miss your friend’s wedding, or work on your anniversary, or are away from your partner for months at a time. It’s a challenging lifestyle. 

The thing I find that makes my journey most difficult is almost always me. I’ve had many a mental health struggle throughout the years, and in a profession that demands so much of your time, it’s quite difficult to balance taking care of yourself with your obligations to a production, band, or otherwise. Not only that, there’s an immense amount of self-doubt that comes with such a competitive career. It’s easy to get bogged down by constant rejection, the fear of success (or lack thereof), or by comparing myself to people I deem more talented than me. But I try my best to stay focused on what my art can offer the world, and what I can contribute to make it a better place. I think if I didn’t have that sense of purpose, I would have bowed out long ago. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a classical actor and rock musician. On the acting side, that means a lot of vocal training, sword combat training, and mastering Shakespearean verse so that the Romeo you see on stage doesn’t seem like a character out of a boring high school textbook, but a living, breathing human in front of you. I’ve also done a number of film and TV productions as well. On the musician side of things, I write, record and produce my little signature flavor of emo music. I play all the instruments, and program any synths or drums during recording sessions, but in my live shows I’m usually on guitar and singing up front. I’ve experimented with a number of genres, but the generally the kind of music that inspires me is pop-punk or synth rock. 

The thing that ties these two art forms together is a desire for catharsis. 

In acting, my goal is to make the audience let out whatever it is they’ve been holding back. Sometimes that means laughing till their abs hurt or crying till their tear ducts run dry. For music, it’s even more expansive. I want people to dance, mosh, scream, sing, or get out whatever their soul needs. Ultimately, I want to create an environment where people aren’t afraid to FEEL. No matter what the medium, all of my art is an attempt to connect people back to their humanity. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
It cannot be understated how much I owe my parents in terms of my success. They raised me to be disciplined, polite, and empathetic. Practically, the drove me to rehearsals as a kid, helped me afford my acting classes at night, and encouraged me to always have a well thought out plan. 

My high school drama teacher Rebecca Lloyd gave me many opportunities to grow at a young age, and demanded I always bring my best. My acting mentor in Seattle Aaron Clements-Levin was more than just a phenomenal acting coach, he taught me an incredible amount about myself, the world, and my place in it. Even 2000 miles away, they’re still both dear friends of mine. 

Musically, Green Day showed me what it meant to be a legendary musical act, and whenever I’m in a rut, I always look to them for inspiration. They really knew what it meant to make an otherwise simple song exceptional. 

Also included should be a list of friends too long to recount. Everyone I’ve ever shared this beautiful thing we call life with – whether mentor, partner, or friend – their talent, support, and love have all fed my soul. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gavinmichaels.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gavinmichaels/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7LtWSrSbxqtJh4vuOP3Veg

Image Credits
Logan Westom
Debbie Macleod
Mollie Crowe