We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Seward a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Michael with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I would have to say that I get my work ethic from all of the amazing teachers, directors, choreographers, and instructors throughout my career. They instilled not only a sense of professionalism, but also a true sense of self accountability. The performing arts is majorly based on just that in my opinion; self accountability. Are you putting in the work outside of rehearsals, are you taking the notes and making the corrections efficiently and safely, are you holding yourself to the highest standard possible even when people aren’t watching? The arts in general are very subjective so I try and make sure to always open myself up to that subjectivity in any and every capacity. Those people in my life that have given me every tool necessary to succeed, let me fall, let me fly, shoved with love, fussed at me when I wasn’t reaching my full potential, cried with me during breakthroughs or breakdowns; are my chosen family and I would not remotely be the performer, producer, or man I am today without them.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Seward Studios began in 2017, offering private vocal coaching and music instruction virtually and in person while home, and thankfully hasn’t stopped growing since! I am originally from Daphne, AL, a small city near Mobile on the Gulf Coast, and being a gay boy in a small religious southern town, I never necessarily thought that the arts were attainable for me. I began my musical journey via church in middle school, and then branched out into Musical Theater in High School. I went to Birmingham Southern College and was fortunate enough to begin my professional performance career during my summer breaks with HersheyPark, Central Piedmont Summer Theater, and RWS Entertainment Group. The summer after my senior year led me to some amazing shows and companies across the country but ultimately my heart was set on NYC. I joined Norwegian Cruise Lines to continue doing what I love while saving up some money for the big move.
I settled in Harlem for a few years (followed by Astoria, Queens) and chased my dreams, all while workshopping new shows for theme parks and cruise ships, bartending, freelancing and picking up any odd gig to help pay the bills. My time in NYC brought about such amazing opportunities as Tokyo Disney Sea, Holland America Cruise Line, the National tour of Junie B. Jones with Theaterworks USA, and four seasons as a singer in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes!
What started as a trip home to escape the crazy that was Covid in NYC, turned into a year long lease and a subsequent home purchase! Not necessarily knowing what was next or which fork in the road to take, the universe stepped in and said, “THIS WAY!” I began my relationship with OWA Parks and Resort in Foley AL in the fall of 2020 with the goal being to bring some joy to the public, in an outdoor space, with covid restrictions galore! Since 2020, we have brought debut, original works such as “A Very Madd Tea Party”, “WONDER”, “Monsters Got Talent”, “The Tinsel Tones”, “Mrs. Claus’ Crafty Christmas”, “I Want Candy”, “Holiday Express”, “Queen of the Night”, “One Sweet Day”, and “Elf-Venture:A Race to Save Christmas”, in addition to other event and experience staffing.
My goal with Seward Studios has always been to grow the arts scene in this area by providing paid performance work to local performers. The talent is HERE and being based in this area again, I am able to source some SUPERB talent! We custom curate the perfect show and experience for each and every client we have. All shows produced are written in house from a concept and taken to a full out with feeling extravaganza, sometimes in 4-6 months, other times in a week! Seward Studios has also begun working with more local schools via choreographing and music directing for projects such as “Matilda”, “SpongeBob”, “Children of Eden”, “Percy Jackson” (Bay Area Performing Arts), “Charlie Brown”, “Madagascar” (Pelican Players), “Peter Pan” (Bayside Academy), “The Wizard of Oz” (OBPAC), “Rent”, “Songs for a New World” (Joe Jefferson Players).
I love having the opportunity to help shape and mold the next generation of performers for success and longevity. I strive to push each and every person I work with to their fullest potential while also breaking some “molds” associated with the performing arts! When people are given clear communication and every tool that you have in your personal toolbox to share, the only outcome is greatness! We can work hard, play hard, grow a lot, and create some of the most beautiful art when we work TOGETHER!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Not so much qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge, but more so a few of the mantra’s I live by!
“A jack of all trades is master of none, BUT OFTENTIMES BETTER THAN A MASTER OF ONE”. (the full quote matters!) DO IT ALL! TRY! LEARN! GROW! CREATE! You will never regret trying and failing because you will have learned something, you WILL regret not asking, not trying, not FULLY living!
Approach each day with Patience, Love, Courage, Kindness and always outlast your circumstances.
Latrice Royale on RuPaul’s Drag Race – “It’s ok to fall down, Get Up, Look Sickening, and make them EAT IT!” and of course the ever famous Rupaul’s “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else, can I get an amen up in here ”
Also, take a Business, Tax, and PR & Marketting class!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
What do I do when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed? When I hear that little inner saboteur start to poke its ugly head out? When the imposter syndrome is screaming louder than the ensemble of 60 children singing on stage? Well, I breathe to start. So often I find myself forgetting to just get a good deep low breath when all of the stuff is hitting the fan. I make lists and organize my thoughts, compartmentalize what needs to go where. I love to light a candle or incense, and put on a favorite record! (The latest foray has been into “Liza with a Z”!). Anything that helps me to just settle and focus on ONE thing for a minute.
But I would say that my most favorite thing to do when I am feeling overwhelmed is to talk to one of my chosen family! Or my real family, but my chosen family doesn’t mind quite as much when I curse! (Sorry Mom!). Whether Barrie, Paul or oh so many others, these people have known me for YEARS and in many stages of my life! They know Tokyo Michael, Cruise Ship Michael, Radio City Michael and every other one in between! They know when I may need the some harsh truth or just someone on my side. AND they listen to every second of my notoriously long voice memos, sometimes having to make notes to keep track, and reply to each and every thing accordingly! It’s people like that in your life that you KNOW would do anything or drop anything to be there for you! THOSE people help me when I’m feeling overwhelmed!
You also can’t go wrong with a good bubble bath!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seward-studios.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewardstudios
Image Credits
Lori Goodrich Photography, Chad Kirtland (Harmonic Media)
