Michael Morgan, the actor who performs the role of Zazu for Disney’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Lion King shared his experiences with Marquette theatre students last Tuesday at a speech in the Helfaer Theatre.
“A lot of people think acting is putting on a mask,” Morgan said. “I believe it’s about taking something off — it’s about not acting.”
Morgan is on tour with The Lion King, which is currently being presented at the Milwaukee Theatre until March 2.
A typical day for Morgan depends on the time the show starts. “In Milwaukee, the show’s at 7:30. In Mexico, it’s at 8:30,” he said. “I don’t know why.”
He does vocal warm-ups in his car on the way to the theatre to prepare his stage voice, which in this play is supposed to be the “colonial influence to Africa.” He arrives one hour before curtain and continues to warm up his voice through the Fitzmorris method, a warm-up technique consisting of various stretches intended to relieve physical tension that could restrict the voice.
After vocal warm-ups, he spends about an hour with a makeup artist, who helps him prepare his elaborate $40,000 costume.
When a show is on tour, Morgan explained, it is typically performed seven to eight times a week, Tuesday through Sunday. In order to keep his performance fresh and interesting, Morgan approaches his work with a deliberate “laziness”.
“The only way I can access the show is to forget the show,” Morgan said. “I try to keep the innocence and not predict what’s coming up. I try to let the lines affect me today — that’s how I keep it fresh.”
The speech last Tuesday was attended by about thirty theatre majors and minors, including sophomore Christine Kehl, who performs regularly with Dance Inc., Pure Dance Marquette, and MU Choir.
“I thought it was interesting when he said that he tries to forget the show before he goes on to keep it fresh,” Kehl said.
Morgan, who went to graduate school at Irving University, offered advice on professional acting, grad schools, and auditioning. He suggested that actors get professional experience before going to grad school.
“It was interesting to hear about his life as a professional actor and what it’s like to be on tour with a play,” Marquette University Players Society President Genevieve Grdina said. “He had great insight about applying to grad school when the time is right for you.”
Morgan said that the hardest part about being on tour is being away from his wife and kids, who live in New York City. “My son thinks that I’ve moved to Wisconsin,” he said. “He doesn’t understand.” After The Lion King finishes its run, Morgan plans to move back to New York to audition and spend time with his family.
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