We’d love to help you get to know our incredible TBG teaching artists a little bit better, so we got Michael Giese to answer a few questions! Check out our interview with him below…
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What is your favorite class to teach at TBG and why?
MG: I love teaching any level of scene study. Honestly, I’ve stopped thinking in terms of “Beginner,” “Intermediate,” or “Professional.” When you’re acting, you’re an actor. What matters more to me is showing up with a beginner’s mind – a sense of curiosity and play. That mindset helps us drop the ego, and whenever that happens, the work becomes more alive, more truthful, and more fun.
What is something you recently learned or were reminded of in the world of acting, writing, or directing?
MG: I get asked a lot, “What should I do on set?” or “How do I behave in the room?” And what I keep coming back to is – well, it depends on what kind of actor you want to be. If your goal is to be spontaneous and truthful on stage or screen, then you need to figure out what helps you achieve that. There’s no one-size-fits-all. That reminder – to trust your process and own it – has been landing with me more and more lately.
What is a recent, current, or upcoming project that you’d like folks to know about?
MG: The last two projects I did at TBG, 17 Minutes by Scott Organ and Triptych by John Yearley, were two of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my life. We’re now exploring off-Broadway runs for both plays. To revisit those stories, those characters, and to share them with a wider audience would be another dream come true.
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To take a class with Michael…check out Intermediate Film/TV II: Technical Skills starting 9/7, Beginner Acting Class I: The Basics starting 9/7, or Intermediate Scene Study II: Exploring the Tools starting 9/12!