BIO

For more than a quarter of a century, Michael Kearns has been a fixture in the Los Angeles world of art and politics. He received the prestigious 2002 Playwrights' Arena Award for Outstanding Contribution to Los Angeles Theatre, acknowledging three decades of work as an actor, writer, producer, director, teacher, and fundraiser.

Of his play, Complications, the Los Angeles Times said, "As always, Kearns-a prominent chronicler of gay life and AIDS-comes up with inventive characterizations and vivid wordplay. The piece exposes a vicious cycle and challenges America to break out of it."

Set to premiere in 2004, Complications has been adapted for the screen by Kearns and Dean Howell who also directs.Retitled Nine Lives, the independent film stars Debra Wilson and Dennis Christopher along with Kearns in the role he created onstage.

In 2003, Kearns was commissioned by L.A.'s Lamp Community to create a work depicting lives directly affected by the social service agency. The success of Barriers, starring Holland Taylor, resulted in his being asked to follow up with another theatrepiece, dramatizing the world of Skid Row. Blessings, a musical Kearns is co-writing with Darien Martus, will premiere on June 17 of this year.

Hollywood's first openly gay actor, Kearns has juggled a mainstream career (The Waltons, Body Double, Cheers, Murder She Wrote, Beverly Hills 90210, And The Band Played On) with a theatre career as a solo performer that has garnered international attention.

As a playwright, his one-person performance pieces-The Truth Is Bad Enough, Intimacies, More Intimacies, Rock, Attachments, and Tell-Tale Kisses-have been produced throughout the United States and abroad. Other theatrical works include Myron, Homeless, A Street Opera, Who's Afraid of Edward Albee?, off, Robert's Memorial, and My Name Is Winona And I'm A Shoplifter.

His directorial work includes the following world premieres: Robert Chesley's Jerker, Eric Bentley's Round Two, James Carroll Pickett's Bathhouse Benediction, and Clark Carlton's Self-Help. In addition, he directed Los Angeles premieres of Doug Holsclaw's Life of the Party, Rebecca Ranson's Warren and Chesley's Night Sweat. Melanie DuPuy's Heroine, Syd Rushing's Brothers Talkin' and Precious Chong's The Porcelain Penelope Show are among the solo works he's developed and directed.

His writing also includes hundreds of articles in a wide variety of publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the LA Weekly, LA Parent, the Advocate and Paper. He is the author of three theatre books, published by Heinemann: T-Cells & Sympathy (nominated for a Lambda Literary Award), Acting = Life (also Lammy nominated), and Getting Your Solo Act Together. He is presently completing two books for Heinemann: Life Expectancies, a second collection of monologues and The Solo Performer's Journey: From the Page to the Stage, a follow up to his first guide to solo performance.

In addition to numerous acting awards, his tireless work as an
activist-humanitarian has been honored by the Victory Fund, the L.A Weekly, PFLAG, National Coming Out Day, Being Alive and the Gay and Lesbian Chapter of the ACLU. A recipient of the key to the city of Des Moines, Kearns was also acknowledged by the Mayor of his hometown, St. Louis, proclaiming "Michael Kearns Day."

Among his many philanthropic accomplishments is the creation of Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.), celebrating its twentieth year.

He lives in Los Angeles with his daughter, Tia, where he writes, performs, directs, teaches acting and works in the non-profit arena in producing, fundraising, and event planning.

For further information:
323.856.6168
or
mkla@aol.com

©2004 Michael Kearns

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