Michael De Souza

How long and to what extent have you been involved in musical theater?

I've been active in musical theater since the age of 5, when I played a member of the Lollipop Guild in a production of The Wizard of Oz. I have been in roughly thirty shows since then.

If you could play any character, who would it be and why?

Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors, because I think it would be interesting to play a more offbeat character, something other than a romantic lead. Seymour is a nerdy florist who has to act out some unconventional scenes (such as a dialogue with a plant), and I think it would be fun to explore that challenge.

How have you gotten involved with musical theater here at the University of Michigan?

I am currently involved in MUSKET's production of Singing in the Rain, which has not only allowed me to explore arts at Michigan, but has also introduced me to a lot of new and interesting people.

What do you like about the arts at Michigan in general?

The multitude of arts programs and opportunities here at U of M function at a very high level, and it's impressive to see that level of dedication from a world-renowned post-secondary institution.

What is your favorite part of being on stage?

It's really exciting; I enjoy the challenge of performing in front of a live audience. It is fulfilling to meet or even exceed my own personal expectations in this particular form of artistic expression.

What is your favorite musical?

It's really hard to pick a all-time favorite show, but I particularly like the scores from Ragtime, Rent, and Godspell. Avenue Q is probably my favorite show as of right now, and was actually co-written by a U of M graduate, Jeff Marx.

What sorts of academic subjects (aside from theater) interest you?

Foreign languages and political science courses appeal to me because my parents are both fluent in other languages and I've always been fascinated by the workings of different governmental organizations.

Do you think that being involved in the arts has helped you in other areas of your life?

I'm definitely more comfortable speaking in public, even in front of large crowds. Being in theater has also taught me to believe in myself, and that self-confidence is a necessary ingredient for success in all areas of my life.

How do you balance being so involved in theater with academics, a social life, etc.?

Throughout the years I have learned that it is imperative to make a schedule and stick to it. I also set daily goals for myself and try not to focus too far ahead on the future. I like to take things one day at a time.

How would you compare your training for musical theater with other forms of artistic practice?

I think that theater in general requires a certain adaptive quality; you have to learn as you go. Just because you learn something for one part doesn't mean that it will carry over to your next part: you have one specific history for each one of your characters, and you must perform accordingly. Musical theater training is cumulative in the sense that the more you do it, the better you become at interpreting different characters. But each process of interpretation proves independent from the rest.