|
Musical Theatre Major Juggles Roles
By: Porsha Lackey
Michael Fisher |
Time management is always a challenge for college seniors, but Senior Michael
Fisher recently had the added problem of balancing time for two. As star
of the musical Company, which played in late February on the
Mars Hill campus, Fisher found himself in two roles: student and performer.
Only a
few months away from his degree in musical theatre, Fisher, 22, was actually
a triple threat, singing, acting, and occasionally doing a two-step in the
play.
The musical,
by Stephen Sondheim, is set in New York and portrays the life of Robert, a
single-man who is friends with five married couples. Through his experience
with his friends by his side, Robert realizes that he doesn’t want to
be single and alone forever. He wants someone to love and take care of.
Fisher
says that the best part of acting is “being
someone different, not having to be yourself. I find it harder
to be me, to be Michael, than to be a character and perform.”
Michael
said he and Robert do share some of the same characteristics. “He relates
to me in a way, in that right now I am focused on a career, and I don’t
see myself in a relationship."
Michael (center) with cast |
This
isn’t the first play that Fisher has done. He played Ren in Footloose and
Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. He also starred
in Once Upon A Mattress as Jester, and Wolf in Into the Woods.
He's
been performing for a long time. “I played in occasional church
plays but I got my start my freshman year in high school,” playing Teen
Angel in Grease. “I’ve
been singing all my life.”
As a college student, Fisher has been active in
the college choir, the Chamber Choir, and Showstoppers.
In addition to being involved in
musical experiences on campus, he is also a member of the Campus
Activity Board, President of Delta Kappa Theta fraternity, and Chaplain of
Inter-Greek Council. To
top it all off, he was elected Homecoming King in the fall of 2006.
Despite
the recent success, Fisher has not always felt on top of the world. “We
all have our times when we might get disappointed about not
getting cast," he says. But his friends keep him going. “My
friends around my age that are doing the things that I am doing inspire me. Just
to know that you’re not the only one out there trying to make it happen.”
Fisher says that the one thing he has learned and would want people to know
about his character Robert is that love should be a priority. “No one
should want to be alone. We all have our friends, which is great, but we all
want someone we can call our own.”
Fisher is thinking about grad-school and has
been offered a part in a dinner theatre. He also has a few auditions lined up.
He has a website that outlines his entire career
at www.michaelrfisher.com. Although
he is uncertain of his future, it is apparent that it will deal with acting,
singing, and all-around performing ---with, of course, a little love!
Give us your feedback. We value your opinions.
The Hilltop reserves the right not to post anonymous comments, personal
attacks, or any comments that could be judged slanderous, that make unverifiable
allegations of fact, or use language we consider in bad taste.
All fields must be filled in.
HOME
| 
