Actor Spotlight: Mike Yow

Meet, Mike Yow! He is joining us for The Hunchback of Notre Dame June 30, 2022 - July 10, 2022!

What is your favorite song in this show and why?

Wow, that is a tough one, being that they're all so darn good. However, if forced to choose only one, then let's go with Top of the World.

What have you loved so far about working with SART?

A good number of things, but primarily, the creativity, organization, and drive to keep live theatre going in the region and at a high level at that.

Tell us about your character. What’s your favorite thing about them? What do you love about getting to portray them?

Well, as an ensemble member, I play a number of minor roles, but I'll go with Father Dupin as my top choice. He's only on stage for probably less than a minute, but he helps move the plot along, providing more motivation for Frollo and his brother, Jehan.

How did you get into theatre?

Professionally, about 15 years ago when I decided to try to make acting/performing my career, even if occasionally augmented by other side jobs. Before that, it probably goes back to elementary school when I would create these little skits and perform them for friends and family. I also recall shooting some short Super 8 films (this certainly dates me! ;)) back "in the day".

What’s your favorite thing to do in the area?

Hiking has always appealed to me, especially here in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains. Apart from that, I definitely enjoy some of the excellent restaurants in Mars Hill and the Asheville area.

What about this production are you the most excited about?

There is a LOT that excites me for helping to tell this amazing story, from the incredible music to the overall spectacle of the production in general, but if I'm choosing just one aspect, it would have to be the awesome (and rather emotional) inclusion of a deaf actor in the titular role.

What’s your favorite part about performing?

Storytelling has been a huge part of my life - be it as a thespian, writer, game designer, or tour guide - and, thus, I would have to say that being a living part of an in-the-moment story is my favorite aspect of performing. And meeting amazingly creative people - that's up there too.

Do you have any upcoming projects we should check out?

I'll be appearing in the Holiday production at SART, A Southern Appalachian Christmas, this December, so definitely check that out! Then I'll be directing and producing The 39 Steps out at Black Mountain Center For The Arts in January, a show I performed five or so years ago out at Parkway Playhouse (and a fan favorite).

Biography

Mike is honored to be performing on the SART stage for this exciting 2022 season in both The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble) and A Southern Appalachian Christmas (Bill Crawford), after numerous appearances at Parkway Playhouse, The Magnetic Theatre, HART, Black Mountain Center For The Arts, ACT, Attic Salt Theatre, and others, in addition to a virtual role in last year's 'Love, SART' online production (wherein he was paired with his lovely spouse and fellow thespian, Karen). A professional actor, director, and acting coach for the past 15 years or so, Mike performed in over 100 theatrical productions and film projects down in Atlanta before making the move up to the beautiful mountains of Western NC nearly eight years ago. In addition to the performing arts, Mike is a published author, game designer, afterschool mentor, and 4.25 rated pickleball player, and resides in northeast Asheville with his aforementioned wife and their two crazy-cool cats.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is showing at Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre in Mars Hill, NC June 30, 2022 - July 10, 2022! Grab your tickets here: https://www.sartplays.com/hunchback