Michael Orlando: Hustle, Don't Wait

Michael Orlando graduated in 2007 and now runs a company called Theatre Lab. We spoke to him about what he's working on right now, what else he's done since leaving Humber, and how Humber helped him to get where he is now.

NOW:
I'm currently producing and directing a new Canadian play Dead End by Jonathan Sun. The show will be running at Factory Theatre from October 6 - 23, 2016. Follow Theatre Lab on Twitter for updates about the show.

THEN:
I'm now in my fourth year of running a studio space called Collective Studio and in my eighth year with Theatre Lab. There have been many changes at our company in the last 6 months. It is now run by myself and Sigrid Velis, also a Humber grad who has become an incredible arts administrator. We have three resident artists this year; all three will be participating in our upcoming show Dead End mentioned above.

I worked with Nadia Ross from STO Union in this year's inFORMING Content at the Theatre Centre (with some fresh Humber Grads!).

HUMBER:
Humber made me a creator and not only a participant. If I didn't learn the basics of how to create my own work, I would likely have burned out from only auditioning. I feel that, over the past 10 years, I have become a strong creator, collaborator and facilitator. I take my greatest pride in strengthening and getting the best work from those I work with, and providing a stable, safe and respectful creation process that can still push boundaries. For lack of a better description, Humber taught me how to hustle and not wait.

Find out more about Theatre Lab at theatrelab.ca.