5 Questions with ALADDIN's Michael Callahan!
Kevin Ray Johnson
It is my joy to introduce you to Michael Callahan. He serves as The Dance Captain, Fight Captain, Swing, and Understudy for Aladdin and Iago in the National Tour of Aladdin as well as Dance Supervisor for the show in Mexico City. I first met Michael when we performed in Guys and Dolls together at The Asolo Repertory Theatre where he also served as Dance Captain. He has also performed on Broadway and in the National Tour of the recent revival of Cinderella. Michael is a wonderful individual, a true professional and someone you truly want at the helm of any production. It was such a privilege to have the chance to interview such a talented and very busy performer!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
My high school drama department went on a trip to London for spring break. I saw the original cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. That show is a version of my life and being around Billy’s age at the time, it was very emotional for me. That was the moment I knew.
2.) Where did you study? Are there any mentors that truly helped make you the performer you are today?
I grew up in Louisville, KY. I went to high school at The Youth Performing Arts School by day and danced at Dancensation Studios by night. My summers were spent at Interlochen Arts Academy and Broadway Theatre Project. I then studied Musical Theatre at Elon University. My mentor is Gail Benedict. She took me under her wing the second I entered high school. She was a very successful Broadway Performer and Dance Captain before becoming an equally gifted teacher. Unintentionally, my career has started to mimic hers. Yes, she taught me the technical aspects of Musical Theatre, but she also taught me how to think like a smart performer. I couldn’t be more grateful.
3.) Your journey with Aladdin has brought you all over North America and now it has brought you to Mexico. How has your time been with this Disney Classic and what keeps it fresh for you?
I’ve been with the tour for 3 years as Dance Captain/Swing. The nature of that position keeps things fresh - I’m ready to pop in for 11 ensemble and two Principle tracks. Not everyone enjoys this lifestyle, but I do! I get to see the show from so many different angles. I find that so exciting! What really keeps me inspired is teaching the show. For a lot of performers, this is a dream job and I’m the person honored with teaching that dream into a reality. Every performer brings something special to the show, but they also have their own challenges. I help navigate them through both. Now, in Mexico City, I will be the Dance Supervisor, which is a completely new position for me. I will be setting all the choreography on a new company. It’s a colossal task and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m nervous, but I feel prepared. This is the next step for me and I’m honored to have it!
4.) Are there any other shows that you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart?
I made my Broadway Debut in Cinderella. It was an amazing whirlwind experience! I played the Raccoon who would become the Driver for Cinderella’s carriage. In the Broadway version of the show, I would stand on a ladder with a Raccoon puppet on my hand for about 5 minutes waiting for the Fairy Godmother to transform me into a person. When I first joined the company, Victoria Clark was still playing the Fairy Godmother. I had a perfect view of the “Impossible/It’s Possible” sequence. I watched her everyday. It was a masterclass and I had the best seat in the house! I learned so much from her in that time and I will never forget it!
5.) What advice would you give young performers who want a career in this business?
Musical Theatre is both my passion and my job. There is nothing I would rather do; however, it is still my job. Like any job, there are days when I struggle and don’t enjoy it, but they are easily outweighed by the wonderful days! If you’re going to pursue this as a career, you need to be prepared to work. You are an athlete both mentally and physically. The amount of hours that go into practicing and learning and failing and succeeding and failing and learning and practicing again are endless and not always fun, but I promise you, it is all worth it!
To learn more about Michael make sure you visit his official website at - www.michaelcallahan.me and to learn more about the National Tour of Aladdin make sure you visit - www.aladdinthemusical.com