"Hold on Tight to The Things That Make You Authentically YOU." - Chatting with Michael Stiggers Jr !

by Kevin Ray Johnson, OnStage Blog Staff Writer

It is my honor to introduce you to the oh-so-talented Michael Stiggers Jr! Originally from Georgia, this southern gent has performed on Broadway in The Lion King and Beautiful. He has also performed in the workshops of iLLA: A Hip-hop Musical, Cinderella and the Fella, and with well-respected regional companies such as Arena Stage, Cape Playhouse, Aurora Theatre, and The Spring Opera House, just to name a few. 

For many years I have heard nothing but amazing from colleagues and alike about his talent, and they were all 100% right! I am so grateful that Michael took the time out in this busy time of the year for most artists to be featured in my series for OnStage Blog. 

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer? 

I think I've been performing all my life. Growing up in Georgia, my siblings and I would pretty much memorize Disney animated classics like The Little Mermaid & Jungle Book and then perform them in our living room word-for-word. We also grew up in a church where my mother was the choir director so that really nurtured the music in us. It was the 9th grade when I gravitated towards wanting to really perform. It was in my high school show choir. We would sing all these show tunes and create choreography for them all for competitions, and that's when I realized I loved it. That was also when I realized what 'Broadway' actually was- this place far away in NYC where people did this for a living. I think from then on; I made it my life's mission. 

Where did you study? Do you have any mentors that truly helped you become the wonderful performer you are today?

I studied at Columbus State University. I studied theatre education as my 'fallback' plan, but my plan A was always to be onstage. I would have my degree requirements where I would have to spend hours in the classroom, but I would be cast in all the musicals. So once I graduated, I started auditioning instead of finding a 'job'. That was about 13 years ago, and I haven't really stopped yet. I've done it all, from regional theatre to cruise ships over the last decade and I've met many people who have guided me along the way. The first time I ever saw someone who looked like me performing on stage was in high school. We were on a field trip to the historic Springer Opera House when I saw Rearcous Smith in A Christmas Carol. Fast forward to my freshman year at CSU where I met him in class and we became friends. He was a true big brother to me in my college years and in this business and he really showed me how to do this. Getting to share the fact that he was my first example of a black man in the arts was special.

Congratulations on your run in The Lion King. One of my favorite Musicals! How was your time in the long-running Broadway Musical?

Thank you so much! Lion King was the experience of a lifetime. I first auditioned for the show over ten years ago. I was a completely different person and performer. And I'm truly thankful it took that long to end up in the company. My life experiences are now infused into every performance. The people in that building are truly the best the world has to offer. It is truly an honor to be a part of that family. 

Are there any shows, performances, or moments in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart? 

I made my Broadway debut in Beautiful the Carole King Musical. I'll always love that show and the family I gained over those years on tour and on Broadway. It's not really performances that stick out for me, but the people in every job experience that make me light up. The connections you make with others doing a show are really like no other. It's one of the reasons I love theatre.

What advice would you give any young performers wanting a career in the performing arts?

Find a way to create. I come from a place where I didn't have a lot of access and resources to having a career in theatre, so I had to seek it out. The more I searched, the more doors were opened to me. Always find a way to create and connect in your craft. Always be a student of the game and hold on tight to the things that make you authentically YOU. And last but certainly not least, in all that you do, try your best to always lead with love. 

To learn more about Michael, make sure you visit his official website at - https://www.michaelstiggers.com