FROM UH TO BROADWAY: MICHAEL THATCHER RETURNS FOR HOUSTON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Broadway actor and University of Houston alumnus Michael Thatcher (MFA ’14) returns to the Bayou City this summer to perform in the Houston Shakespeare Festival, taking on the iconic role of King Henry in Henry V. Now a seasoned performer with credits in Wicked and The Play That Goes Wrong on Broadway, Thatcher is thrilled to bring his craft back to the city where his professional journey began. A graduate of the UH Professional Actor Training Program, he credits his time at the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts with giving him the practical tools and training that continue to shape his career. Performing at Miller Outdoor Theatre, just steps from his former campus, marks a powerful and personal full-circle moment. In this Q&A, Thatcher reflects on his time at UH, his life on Broadway, and the lessons that continue to guide his path.

Why did you choose the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts? What drew you to the arts?

I did my first theatre show when I was 10 years old, and was absolutely hooked. After getting my bachelor’s degree in music from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, I sought an MFA program that would make me a great actor. The Professional Actor Training Program at UH had a reputation of giving actors practical tools and methods to craft their performances. I wasn’t interested in acting theory…I wasn’t interested in overly intellectual approaches to creating a character. I wanted tangible tools to help me bring the words on the page to life for an audience. The School of Theatre & Dance at the University of Houston provided exactly the kind of focused, practical training I was looking for.

What is one of your favorite memories from your time on campus? Was there a particular professor who influenced your education?

As I’m prepping for Henry V, a memory that keeps coming to mind is an assignment we did called “The Wall.” We each memorized a monologue—mine was Henry’s “Once more unto the breach” speech—and performed it outside on campus. We stood against this huge brick wall while the rest of the class watched from about 50 yards away. The goal was to deliver the speech full out, projecting all the way to our classmates. I was in black medieval garb, wielding a giant sword, shouting as loud as I could as Henry V. Random students stopped to watch, trying to figure out what was going on. It was such a fun assignment—and now I get to bring that same speech to life at Miller Outdoor Theatre!

Tell us about a typical day in your job. Do you have a particular philosophy around art and creating?

At Wicked, we perform 8 shows between Tuesday and Sunday, with Monday being our only day off. On Wednesdays and Saturdays we have two shows and my day begins at 1:30pm, 30 minutes before the first show. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays I report at 6:30pm, and Sunday I report 30 mins before our final 3pm show of the week. My days vary a lot before I head to the show, but typically I start with an hour in the gym every morning. In the late morning and afternoon I’m generally working on other projects, or filming auditions, going to classes, spending time with my partner and dog, and cooking.

Who were the most influential professors or mentors you encountered, and how did they impact your education and career?

Jack Young is the reason I’ve found success in my acting career. During our first week, he told my classmates and me that the MFA program would be like drinking water from a firehose—and he wasn’t kidding. My two years at UH were both rigorous and rewarding. The practical skills I learned from Jack still serve me in my professional work today. No script, song, director, or star actor has ever felt too daunting, because my training prepared me for anything and everything.

What is one career accomplishment of which you are particularly proud of? How do you feel your College education prepared you for this?

I’m most proud of my Broadway debut in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. I was brought in to understudy 3 roles, and had only 3 weeks to get up to speed. The night of my debut I had 25 friends in the audience, and when I made my first entrance they all went wild making the entire audience start to applaud – it was one of the greatest moments of my life.

My time at UH directly helped me achieve this moment. We worked on so much material at the same time, for different professors and different classes. Memorizing and creating 3 characters at once for GOES WRONG was like a return to my time in grad school.

What is one valuable lesson you learned during your time as a student at the School of Art?

The importance of collaboration. No show is successful due the effort of one singular person. The success of a show rests on the ensemble of creators on stage and off.

Do you have a manifesto? if so, how does it influence your life and work?

Be open. Be kind. Be on time. I abide by these three rules and my career has been filled with one amazing experience after another.

How has your industry changed since you started, and what trends do you see emerging?

In person auditions are mostly a thing of the past, which makes me sad. Almost all my initial auditions for theatre and TV/Film are via self-tape. If I get a callback, then those are typically in person. But I miss going to auditions in person. You can’t replace physically taking up a space by using the camera on your phone.

What advice would you give to new graduates entering your field?

Follow your gut – it’s rarely wrong. And always tell the truth. If things are going well, you’ll need to make choices on which jobs you pursue, accept, decline. Always be (tactfully) truthful and maintain your relationships with everyone involved. The theatrical community is very small, and reputation is everything.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

“He was one of my favorite people to work with both onstage and off!"

How can alumni or current students connect with you or follow your work?

I’m on Instagram: @thatched44

What final piece of advice would you offer to anyone reading your spotlight?

This is universal. . . start saving for retirement NOW. Even if it’s a couple bucks every month. No one talked to me about managing my money and future until I was in my mid-30s. Start thinking about it in your 20s!

Join us under the stars at the Houston Shakespeare Festival to see Michael Thatcher take the stage as King Henry in Henry V.
July 31, August 2, 4, 6, & 8, 2025 | 8:15 PM at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Bard Talk begins at 7:45 PM.