We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Kushner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always knew that if I started my own business, I would have creative freedom. Outside of a rehearsal room, I’m not very good about being told what to do. I like to have the space to follow my impulses and respond to situations in an organic way and I can’t do that in a corporate setting or by having a boss. That might sound self focused or self interested, but I do my best work for those around me, my community, and the world if I have free reign. I can stay creative if no one is breathing down my neck and I’m not feeling the pressure to act a certain way or abide by a company’s policy.

Plus, if I owned my own business — I can create my own schedule and take on outside projects when I see fit. Or go to London on a whim, if I so choose.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a multi-hyphenate, which according to my podcast Dear Multi-Hyphenate and my book How to be a Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business is an artist who has multiple proficiencies which cross pollinate to help flourish professional capabilities. To me, I find it to be the one lucrative way of creating art in the theatre, television, and film industry.

Getting there was easy because I knew what I wanted. Getting there was hard because this industry is difficult. Ego, creative mishaps, and of course money, gets in the way — but knowing what you want, or a ‘Why’ always helps you pivot. Someone won’t fund you for a project even though they said they would? You’ll find someone else. Your agent dropped you? You’ll get another. You have writer’s block? It’ll come back.

Knowing ‘why’ you do what you do helps cut fat. It helps prevent you from taking on projects you don’t want to do. It helps prevent toxic relationships. It helps you create projects and ideas you want to share. Look at some other leading multi-hyphenates in our industry — Lin Manuel Miranda, Mel Brooks, Issa Rae — they have specific points of views and experiences which they translate to their art. What’s challenging is that someone’s ‘why’ can change almost daily.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite restaurant in New York City is Sardi’s for a good old fashioned Manhattan menu and a cocktail. Plus, it’s historic. If you’re seeing a show, I recommend going to Glasshouse Tavern after for a night cap. If you like history, take a trip up to Harlem and see Alexander Hamilton’s house on 141st street, or The Morris Jumel Mansion where Aaron Burr lived with Eliza Jumel. Of course, go see all you can on Broadway and hire a company like Broadway Up Close to bring you around the theatre district and learn more about the theatres and a time gone by.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Since this interview is being conducted during Pride month, I work closely with Covenant House, an organization which provides resources, shelter, and professional opportunities for homeless youth — many of which happen to be LGBTQIA+

Every year, the theatre, television, and film industry comes together to raise funds for Covenant House. On the final night of our fundraiser, we meet at Covenant House in Manhattan, learn more about the program, facility, the youth, the staff, and the success stories. Outside, we then set up sleeping bags on the concrete under the night sky and sleep out in solidarity with the youth currently occupying Covenant House. We always end the night with singing “Lean On Me” and it’s beautiful to see the youth pop their heads out from the rooms above and wave down at us. It’s an emotional night and we raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in hopes of putting an end to youth homelessness.

Website: www.michaelkushnerphotography.com

Instagram: @themichaelkushner

Other: TikTok: @themichaelkushner

Image Credits
Michael Kushner Photography Michael Allen Russell

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