Without SU, I wouldn’t be the actor I am today. I wouldn’t be the human being I am today. Those four years were the best of my life. The friendships I formed will outlast most others. I couldn’t imagine replacing that education with anything else. Shenandoah gave me the tools I needed to persevere and the willingness to say, ‘Sure… I can do that,’ and then the persistence to go and learn how to do what I just said I could do!”
Part magician. Part actor. All entertainer.
Michael is an internationally award-winning magician whose performances have literally taken him around the world!
With an education in theatre from SU, Michael’s greatest asset is the ability to combine sleight of hand technique and theatrical motivation to form a seamless evening of inspired, skilled, and hilarious magic. Prior to becoming a full-time magician, he traveled the country, performing theatre in regional houses from coast to coast. From 2011-2012, he worked full-time at the Great Plains Theatre in Abilene, Kansas, as the marketing director and a resident actor. While there, he was instrumental in implementing a “Shakespeare in the Schools” program, bringing classic works to area children for the first time in more than 40 years.
“First and foremost, meeting my wife, Sarah, is my fondest memory,” expressed Misko. “Also the friendships that were forged in the halls of Ruebush are the greatest of my life. It seems too, that there are no class boundaries. It’s like being in a brotherhood, so to speak. In talking with current students, most of whom do not know me, I’ve learned that we’ve got the same stories and are stressed about the same stresses! Also, from what I can remember, Apple Blossom was always a good time.”
In 2015, Michael’s two loves combined; he was hand-picked to create the role of the “Magic Maker” in the World Premiere of Stephen Schwartz’s Magic To Do onboard Princess Cruises.
The following January, Princess embarked on an industry first and invited the original cast of Magic To Do to record the Original Cast Album; this is unparalleled in the cruise ship industry. The album can be purchased on iTunes or Amazon.
Currently, Michael continues his work performing for corporations and cruise ships all over the world.
Misko married Sarah Sesler ’10 in August 2013. They live in Pittsburgh with their daughter, Rosalind, and their Double Doodle, Aurora.