Artist and advocate
Gavin Creel will deliver the spring commencement address at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance graduation ceremony on April 27.
Gavin (photo left) received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre at U-M, and is an actor, singer and song writer. He is a two time Tony Award nominee for “Hair,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Gavin also appeared in the 2004 Broadway revival of “La Cage Aux Folles,” the Goodman Theatre/Kennedy Center production of “Bounce,” as well as “Hair” and “Mary Poppins” on the West End. He has also appeared alongside Julie Andrews in the television movies, “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime,” and beginning this August, Gavin will star as Elder Price in the First National Touring Company of “The Book of Mormon.”
This March, Gavin released his third studio album, GET OUT, co-written and recorded with UK songwriter and producer Ben Cullum. His debut pop album “GOODTIMENATION,” and follow-up EP, “Quiet,” were both written and recorded with long time collaborator, Robbie Roth. Gavin is currently working with Roth and playwright Jonathan Bernstein on an original musical.
Gavin also performed recently with Tony & Grammy-winning orchestrator and musical supervisor Stephen Oremus at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s The Allen Room, in a brand new show celebrating the modern pop/rock American Songbook.
Gavin has been honored as one of OUT Magazine’s OUT 100 for his work as co-founder of Broadway Impact, an organization mobilizing the theatre community in the fight for marriage equality. Through his advocacy, Gavin has gained national attention performing and speaking at events and rallies including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) national dinner alongside Lady Gaga and keynote speaker President Obama; The Cyndi Lauper True Colors Cabaret series featuring Jason Mraz, Rufus Wainwright and Sara Bareilles; and on the Capitol Lawn at the 2009 National Equality March with such speakers as MILK screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, actress Cynthia Nixon, and organizer of the National Equality March and AIDS Memorial Quilt conceiver, Cleve Jones.
