THE BEGINNING

Headshot by Lisa Keating

Hello thespians, technicians, spectators and all people who have a love for theatre! My name is Michael Hunter. I am an actor and singer based in Sonoma County. I have been doing theatrical productions, both plays and musicals, since 2009. Though I have enjoyed watching theatrical performances for years, what I have always wondered is what goes on offstage and how a show is seen from the eyes of those on stage. Certainly, I enjoy stories of what happens backstage and how a show is made.

To begin, I will tell you up front, right now and lay out what this blog is going to be and what to keep in mind when reading it. Consider it advice or a warning, whatever you will.

For better OR worse, the purpose of this blog is to preserve memories of on and offstage moments of MY theatrical experiences, to regale readers with stories and anecdotes of the experiences and what I learned, if anything.

Headshot by Al Christenson

There are also honest opinions of how I think the show went and whether I thought it was good or bad. Nothing that you will see on this blog is anything that I would not say aloud to anyone who listens. There are good stories as well as bad ones ahead because I do not whitewash or sugarcoat things. I say exactly how I feel, something I’m well known for, and which has earned me both praise and scorn from my fellow theatre members. Honestly though, the ones who praise me have always been people whose opinion I value more because they admire my forthrightness and honesty.

If you’ve done a show with me, you might be mentioned, but if you have any ego problems or you’re thin-skinned and you can't take criticism, it would be best for you to not read on. This blog is not for you. If you choose to keep going and you come across something you don’t like, I advise you to stop reading. Remember, no one’s making you. Now, shall we proceed?

Headshot by Rick Lejano

Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start. It all began with a musical in my sophomore year of high school. I had seen theatre shows before that, though I never thought anything of them. I never felt inspired by them. But then that fateful night everything changed. The musical was Once on this Island, book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. I watched in wonder and amazement at the singing and dancing. I liked it so much that I had to see it again. After that show I said to myself "I want to do that."

I began to see theatre shows through new eyes. I longed to do one, but for most of high school I was in band and my parents wouldn't let me leave it. Even though I got out of it my senior year I didn't get to do any shows though I can't remember why I never asked anyone how to do it.

I entered college at Sonoma State University (SSU). During orientation I saw the theatre department season in a booklet and it included West Side Story. Though I would've given anything to be in that show, I couldn't sing or dance and, as I was not a theatre major, I was not told of the audition process. Theatre majors at SSU are given a heads up about when the auditions are and how to sign up. It was probably for the best because I wouldn't have known what to do and I would've just made a fool of myself. Over the next two years I never missed a play or musical in the seasons, all the while longing to be on the stage. It was not until my sophomore year when I made a friend who told me of the process and I began preparations to do a theatre show.

In my sophomore year I began to take the first steps to be in a theatre show. I met the musical theatre head, Lynne Morrow in a vocal methods class in the fall semester. I began learning to sing. I could read music and I've made substantial improvement, but to this day I regret not taking theory or ear training which I believe would've helped me further. The following semester I took Lynne's Music Theatre Scenes class where I met Katie Foster and Ted Smith. Over a series of Facebook messages, Katie told me about the audition process. I would audition the next year. And thus began my life in the world of theatre.

Headshot by Christa Durand