About Michael

Citizenship: USA
Born: June 18, 1954 
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 210 lbs. 
Suit Size: 42XL
Shirt Size: 16 x 35-36 
Pants: Waist 38 Length 34 
Shoe Size: 12
Eyes: Blue
Hair:  Silver

Performance Skills:  Acting, Clowning, Mime, Mask, Storytelling, Magic, Juggling, Improvisation, Emcee, Ringmaster, as well as teaching, directing and creating movement works with variety and circus artists.

Other Skills: Table Tennis, Golf, Tennis, Basketball, Biking, Fishing, Baseball, Swimming, Carpentry, Yoga, Piano

2021. Production Workshop with Robert Post at Celebration Barn Theater, South Paris, ME. 

2014. Very Physical Comedy Institute with John Towson, Leonard Pitt, Betsy Baytos, Mookie Cornish, Sigfriedo Aguilar, Don Rieder, Karen E. Gersch, Leland Faulkner, and Drew Richardson at Celebration Barn Theater, South Paris, ME. 

2013 & 2015. Improvisation with Jeff Wirth at Celebration Barn Theater, South Paris, ME.

2010. Production Workshop with Robert Post at Celebration Barn Theater, South Paris, ME. 

2001. Mime and Improvisation with Tony Montanaro at Celebration Mime Theater, South Paris, ME.

1988–89. Modern Dance Improvisation with Mary R. Barnett at Yale University, New Haven, CT.

1988. Unarmed Stage Combat with David Leong at Celebration Mime Theater, South Paris, ME.

1987–88. Mime, Mask, Improvisation with Jacques Lecoq at École Jacques Lecoq, Paris, France.

1984. Speech for the Stage with Jeannie Lindheim, Boston, MA.

1983 & 84. Mime and Improvisation with Tony Montanaro at Celebration Mime Theater, South Paris, ME.

1977–1982. As a company member of MIMEWOCK, took classes from company members and guest 

artists in various areas as follows:

• Mime – Steve Harris,  Branch Worsham
• Ballet, Modern, and Jazz Dance – Susie Gardner Ibsen
• Mime, Clowning, Magic, Juggling, Circus Skills, Slapstick – Leland Faulkner
• Improvisation – David Naster
• Storytelling – Ken Feit
• Mask and Improvisation – Bari Rolfe
• Clown – Avner (the Eccentric) Eisenberg
• Mime – Claude Kipnis

1977. Ballet and Modern Dance with Kathy Bartosch-Landesman at American Dance Center, K.C., MO.

1976. Mime with Steve Harris & Dennis Landesman at American Dance Center, Kansas City, MO.
1972–1976. Liberal Arts education (Majoring in Political Science and Business Administration) at William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri. No degree.

Current Repertoire: 

• DEATH OF A CLOWN – Solo Clown Theater play. A new, work-in-progress in response to the effects of COVID-19.
• HEAD IN THE CLOUDS – Solo Theater Performance. Material is selected from the following works:
  • KING PONG’S PING PONG RODEO – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. Premiered 2011.
  • PING PONG – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. Premiered 2009.
  • BALLOON – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. Premiered 1994.
  • SPIT PHASSBAHL ON THE MOUND – Writer, Performer. Storytelling. Premiered 1983.
  • KEYS – Writer, Performer. Monologue. Premiered 1982.
  • THE WEDDING – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. Premiered 1979.
  • THE TRAINED FLY – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime. Premiered 1979.
  • BUBBLEGUM – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime. Premiered 1977.
• KING PONG’S PING PONG RODEO – Writer, Performer, Solo Variety Show. One Clown + 1000 Ping Pong Balls. Family show for Theaters, Circus, Festivals and Fairs. Premiered 2012.
• VISUAL COMEDY SHOW – Writer, Performer. Solo Comedy Mime/Clown/Magic/Juggling show for Festivals and Fairs. Premiered 1996.
• THE BIG TIME VAUDEVILLE SHOW – Director, Host, Performer, and Producer for variety show featuring New England based artists. Premiered 2008.
• BODY TALK – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime/Clown/Magic/Juggling/Storytelling show for schools, grades K – 12. Premiered 2007.

Past Productions:

• THE STOOGE: A Troubled Clown For Troubled Times – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. 1989 – 1993. Remounted 2005. 
• POLITIKLAUN – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. 2008.
• OOPS! THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS STAGE SHOW – Actor, played the role of Stage Manager and Star Clown. National Touring Production. Directed by Tony Walton. 1999 – 2000. 
• THE DARK CLOWN – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. 1994 – 1995. 
• WHAT’S THAT NOISE? – Writer, Performer. Solo Sound Effects/Foley Artist assembly program for grades K through 12. 1993 – 2006.
• TAXES – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime/Mask. 1993 – 2006.
• DARK TALES – Co-writer, Cast Member, Solo Performer with Leland Faulkner and Light Theater ensemble. Halloween Show with Mime, Clowning, Magic, Storytelling, Variety Arts. 1986, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’08, ’12.
• MY MISSPENT YOUTH – Writer, Performer. Solo Theater. 1983 – 2006.              
• THE PHYSICAL COMEDY TEST – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. 1993 – 1999.
• THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime/Magic. 1988 – 1998.
• THE ROAD RUNNER – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime. 1985 – 2010.
• SAWMILL – Writer, Performer. Solo Clown Theater. 1980 – 2008.
• FACES OF DEATH – Co-writer, Performer. Duet Mime Theater with Leland Faulkner. 1981.
• ALICE – Writer, Performer. Monologue. 1979 – 1983.
• CIRKUS BERZERKUS – Co-writer, Director, Performer. Ensemble Mime and Circus Arts with MIMEWOCK COMPANY. 1980 – 1982.
• MIME IS MORE… – Writer, Performer. Solo Mime, Clown, Magic, and Story Theater assembly program for grades K through 12. 1978 – 2007.
• TWO OF A (NOT VERY) KIND – 1978. Co-writer, Performer. Duet Mime Theater with Branch Worsham.

Theaters:

• Teatro ZinZanni (Seattle, WA): MISH MASH CIRCUS BASH with KING PONG – 2015
• Boothbay Opera House (Boothbay Harbor, ME): HEAD IN THE CLOUDS – 2011, 12
• LL Bean’s Discovery Park Stage (Freeport, ME): HEAD IN THE CLOUDS – 2010
• Merriconeag Waldorf School (Freeport, ME): THE BIG TIME VAUDEVILLE SHOW – 2009, 10
• Canadian Museum of Civilization (Ottawa, ON, Canada): HEAD IN THE CLOUDS – 2009
• Coolidge Corner Theatre, Kids Variety Show Series (Boston, MA): HEAD IN THE CLOUDS – 2008
• Montgomery College, Arts Alive! Series (Takoma Park, MD): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2007
• Beckman Auditorium, California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA): WHAT’S THAT NOISE? – 2006
• Kirkland Fine Arts Center (Decatur, IL): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2006
• Harbourfront Theatre (Toronto, ON, Canada): THE STOOGE – 2005
• The Detroit Institute for the Arts (Detroit, MI): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2005
• The Leid Center for The Performing Arts (Lincoln, NE): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2005
• Alberta Bair Theater (Billings, MT) – MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2004
• The Michael J. Fox Theatre (Vancouver, BC) – MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2004
• The Arden Theater (St. Albert, AB): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2004
• Horizon Performing Arts Center (Spruce Grove, AB): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2004 
• The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for the Performing Arts (The Woodlands, TX): MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2004
• Portland Performing Arts Center (Maine): VISUAL COMEDY – 1998, 2000; MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 2001, 2002, 2004; POLITIKLAUN – 2004.
• The General Jackson Showboat, Opryland (Nashville, TN): VISUAL COMEDY – 1997, 98, 99
• The Emelin Theater (Mamaroneck, NY): Mime Is More… and MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 1995, 2004.
• Portland Stage Company (Maine): THE DARK CLOWN – 1994
• Mabou Mines/Suite (NYC):  THE DARK CLOWN – 1994
• BACA Downtown (Brooklyn, NY):  THE STOOGE – 1993
• The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC):  SAWMILL – 1992
• Riverside Shakespeare Co. (NYC):  MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 1991
• Great Woods Performing Arts Center (Mansfield, MA):  MY MISSPENT YOUTH – 1991The Educational Center for the Arts (New Haven, CT):  THE STOOGE – 1989

Festivals and Fairs:

• Toronto Clown Festival – 2017 
• International Juggler’s Association Festival – 1989, 2018 
• Umbrella Festival, Portland, Oregon – 2015 
• Prague Mime Festival, Prague, Czech Republic – 2014, 15 
• Festival d’Aurillac, France – 2013 
• CARNEVALE, Venice, Italy – 2012
• The International Comedy & Acrobatics Exchange, Nanjing, China – 2011 
• Newcomershow, Krystallpalast Varieté, Leipzig, Germany – 2011
• Moisture Festival, Seattle, WA – 2011, 12, 15, 18
• Milano Clown Festival, Italy – 2011, 12
• Ottawa International Children’s Festival – 2009
• Kim Tom Clown Festival, Shanghai, China – 2007
• Yarmouth, ME Clam Festival – 2007, 08, 09
• Tryon, NC Children’s Festival – 2007
• West Virginia State Fair – 2006
• Kentucky State Fair – 2005
• Tennessee State Thespian Festival – 1989, 94, 2000, 05, 10, 16
• Ottawa Festival of the Arts – 2004
• N. Saskatchewan Int. Children’s Fest – 2002
• Vancouver International Children’s Fest – 2002
• PHYZGIG, Portland, ME – 2000, 01, 02, 04, 05, 07, 08, 10, 12
• The Maine Festival – 2000, 01, 02
• Bethlehem (PA) Musikfest – 1997, 98
• First Night New York City – 1996, 97
• New York State Fair – 1997, 98, 99, 01, 02
• International Clown Festival, Nagasaki, Japan – 97
• Tennessee State Fair – 1996, 97, 98
• South Florida Fair – 1996, 97, 99
• Winnipeg Int. Children’s Theater Fest – 1995, 03
• Daidogai World Cup, Shizuoka, Japan – 1993
• Ohio State Fair – 1993, 95, 07
• South Carolina State Fair – 1993 
• Red River Revel, Shreveport, LA – 1993
• Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, Montreal – 91
• Festival D’Ete, Quebec – 1991
• Edmonton International Street Performers Festival – 90, 91, 00, 02, 10, 12, 18
• Calgary Int. Children’s Theater Fest – 1991, 95, 02
• NY International Fest. of Clown Theater – 1985
• New England Vaudeville Fest. – 85, 86, 87, 88, 90

Television:

• WOW: The Most Awesome Acts On Earth, ABC Network Special, Originally aired 1996.
• The Statler Brothers Show, TNN. Originally aired 1997. 
• CCTV International Variety Special, Beijing, China. 2013. 
• CCTV Children’s Variety Show, Beijing, China. 2013. 
• LE PLUS GRANDE CABARET DU MONDE, France TV2, 2013. 
• The Gong Show, ABC Television, August 2018.

Plays:

• OOPS! The Big Apple Circus Stage Show, National Tour 1999-2000 season. Directed by Tony Walton. Playing Clown/Stage Manager
• BUSKER ALLEY, Danny Kaye Playhouse, Off-Broadway, NYC. 2006. Starring Jim Dale and Glenn Close. Playing Michael the Busker. Directed by Tony Walton.

Schools:

• Over 3500 performances in schools (K-12) since 1977.

• IL VIAGGIO A REIMS, Directed by Chas Rader-Shieber, Prince Music Theatre, Philadelphia, PA. Opera production by The Curtis Institute of Music. Physical Character and Comedy Consultant–2009.
• THE JEALOUS HUSBAND and THE FLYING DOCTOR, Directed by Christopher Akerlind, Portland Stage Company (Portland, ME). Physical Comedy Consultant—1998.
• AS YOU LIKE IT, Directed by William Foeller, Catholic University of America (D.C.). Commedia and Movement Consultant—1997.
• NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH, Directed by Jackson Phippin, Catholic University of America (D.C.). Movement Consultant—1995.
• THE SWAN, Graduate Student project, Catholic University of America (D.C.). Movement Consultant— 1994.
• THE HOUR WE KNEW NOTHING OF EACH OTHER, Directed by Gitta Honegger, Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.). Movement Consultant—1994.
• THE BALTIMORE WALTZ, Directed by Melia Bensussan, Berkshire Theater Festival (Massachusetts). Physical Comedy Consultant—1994.
• POSTCARD FROM MOROCCO, Directed by Dorothy Danner, Reymann Opera (NYC). Mime and Movement Consultant—1993.
• LADIES OF FISHER COVE, Directed by William Foeller, Ohio Theater (NYC). Magic Consultant—1993.
• SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS, Directed by Irene Lewis, Center Stage (Baltimore). Physical Comedy and Commedia Consultant—1992.
• THE MISANTHROPE, Directed by Irene Lewis,Center Stage (Baltimore). Physical Comedy and Commedia Consultant—1992.
• EL ETERNO FEMININO, Directed by Beatriz Cordoba, Spanish Rep. Theater (NYC). Mime and Movement Choreography—1990.

• SOLSTICE CIRCUS, Created and Directed by Michael Trautman. At Maine Circus Academy, 
• Portland, ME. December 2016. New version in December 2017.
• CIRCUS MAINE, Created and Directed performances by Professional Program students, and the Youth Performance Troupe at Maine Circus Academy. April 2016 through March 2018. 
• UBU ROI, by Alfred Jarry. Adapted by Michael L. Trautman and William Foeller. At the Hartke Theater, Catholic University of America—February 1999.

Directing Clowns and Jugglers:

• Emil Lamprecht. Emil was my apprentice from 2002-2004. I directed several solo pieces created by Emil, including mime, juggling, and fire eating. 
• Jared Mongeau. Jared was my apprentice from 2008-2010. I directed three clown pieces created by Jared, which were used as his successful audition pieces for Circus Smirkus. 
• Dyer Rhoads. Dyer was my apprentice in 2012-13. I directed his clown/magic audition piece for Circus Smirkus. 
• Sarah Norden. I directed Sarah’s successful audition pieces created for Circus Smirkus in 2015 and 2016. Sarah performed with Smirkus both seasons, and is currently a student at Ecole Nationale du Cirque in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 
• Andrew Silver. Andrew was my apprentice from March 2016 until June 2018. He is currently working as the central clown character for a new circus themed show on AIDA Cruise Line. 
• Kerry Kaye. Kerry is a solo circus artist who I am currently directing and helping to create a new solo show.

• Maine Circus Academy. Taught Mime, Clown, Mask, Juggling, Physical Comedy, Character, Acting and Performance for the Professional Training Program, The Youth Performance Troupe, and for Recreational Classes. April 2016 – March 2018. 
• Physical Eloquence: Mime, Gesture, Physical Character. Master Class presented at Moisture Festival, Seattle, WA, 2015; and Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival, Chicago, IL, 2015. 
• Mime. Artist in Residence at Germantown High School Theater Department, Germantown, TN, One week residency, 2013. 
• Physical Character/Physical Comedy, Jr. and Sr. High teachers, Tennessee Arts Academy. Belmont University, Nashville, TN. 2005.
• Mime and Movement for Actors. Second and Third Year Graduate Acting students. Guest Lecturer, The Catholic University of America. Fall 1998.
• Movement Class: Mime, Clown, and Mask for Actors. Second Year Graduate Acting students. Visiting professor, The Catholic University of America. Spring 1998.
• Mime, Clown, Commedia, and Movement for Actors. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year Graduate Acting students and Undergraduate students as Artist-in-Residence at The Catholic University of America. 1997.
• Mime, Clown, and Movement for Actors. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year Graduate Acting students and Undergraduate students as Artist-in-Residence at The Catholic University of America. 1995.
• Commedia, Mime, Mask, and Clown for Actors. Third Year Graduate Acting students as Artist-in-Residence at The Catholic University of America. 1994.Clowning Workshop. Drama Department, The Julliard School, New York City. 1994.

• Maine Arts Commission, Resilience Artist Grant, February 2021. 
• Maine Arts Commission, Project Grant for Artists, June 2020. 
• Maine Arts Commission, Maine Artist Relief Fund, June 2020. 
• Maine Arts Commission. Good Idea Grant. May 2005.
• Artist-in-Residence at Mabou Mines Theater Company, NYC for 1993-94.