Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Scholar Jr., Michael
Photo: Ian Jackson
Actor, playwright and director, Michael Scholar Jr. was born and raised in Regina Saskatchewan. He studied in the University of Regina’s Theatre Department before graduating with a BFA in Acting from the University of Alberta, and then moved to Vancouver in 2000.
He is the Founding Artistic Producer of November Theatre, known for such alternative musical theatre works as The Black Rider and Hard Core Logo: Live. The Black Rider toured across North America for over a decade and is the only show to ever win “Best Production” at the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards (Sterling Awards), the Betty Mitchell Awards, and the Jessie Richardson Awards. Hard Core Logo: Live is Michael Scholar Jr.’s stage adaptation of the film and book, with new music composed by Joe Keithley of legendary punk bank D.O.A. It received an Ovation Award Nomination for “Best New Work.” Also with November Theatre, Michael wrote and directed Ana for “Hive 3” as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad, and wrote “Killing Konundrum” for Caravan Farm Theatre’s Everyone collective morality project. In 2021, November Theatre relocated from Vancouver to Toronto.
Scholar was the playwright in residence at Vancouver’s Touchstone Theatre in 2010/2011. He was the Artistic Associate for Regina’s Globe Theatre in 2011/2012, where he developed original work, programmed a season of the Sandbox Series, and directed David Greig’s Midsummer (a play with songs).
Other directing credits include Fat Pig (Equity Co-Op/Jessie Award Nomination, Vancouver); Humanity and No (Persephone Theatre); I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (Arts Club Theatre/Gateway Theatre); 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress (Presentation House, Vancouver); and the Vancouver Fringe hit Barbie Screams (which he co-wrote).
Michael Scholar Jr. received the Canadian AEA Emerging Artist Award, and several grants from the Canada Council for the Arts including the JBC Watkins Award to pursue his MFA in Directing at Columbia University, which he completed in 2016. Since moving to New York, his directing credits have included the politically charged Mr. E’s Humongous Underground Digital Vaudeville Extravaganza!!! (Columbia University), Liz Thaler’s The Third Option (Amios/SHOTZ!), and Uncle Vanya (Medicine Show Theatre).
Favourite acting credits include: The Black Rider, Hard Core Logo: Live (November Theatre); Heiner Müller’s Macbeth (Theatre Conspiracy); Refugee Hotel (Theatre Passe Muraille); Buddy (Arts Club Theatre); Little Mercy’s First Murder, Life After God (Touchstone Theatre); Tideline (Neworld Theatre/Touchstone); Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet (Bard on the Beach); Cloud Tectonics(Vancouver Playhouse/Pi Theatre); Twelfth Night,The Merchant of Venice (Free Will Players); The Blue Orphan (Catalyst Theatre, UK Tour); The Edible Woman (Theatre Junction); and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Theatre Network).
Michael Scholar Jr. has won the Sterling Award for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role,” and has been nominated for three Jessies for “Best Supporting Actor (Large Theatre),” a Betty Award for “Best Performance in a Musical,” and an Ovation Award for “Best Lead Performance.”
Source: November Theatre website: www.novembertheatre.com
Last updated 2021-07-21
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