About
Michael is an actor, director, writer, and teaching artist in the NJ/NYC area, as well as Co-Managing Director of the Black Box Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.
​
In the midst of our #SaveOurStages Season at Black Box, Michael is privileged to be engaged with world-class writers in incubating their new and under-produced work. These include: Eric Bogosian, Craig Lucas, Paul Schrader, Beth Henley, Neil Labute, John Guare, and Caridad Svich. More Info/how to get involed: www.blackboxpac.com.
Michael attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and received his B.A. in Theatre Arts (Acting) and Communication.
​
As an actor, he has performed in NYC at The Chain Theatre, Theater for the New City and Nuyorican Poets Cafe; as well as regionally with Black Box PAC, Hudson Theatre Works, Women's Theatre Co., and The Phillipstown Depot Theater.
He also continues to work as a Teaching Artist/private acting coach. He has taught various populations, including adults with special needs. He works regularly with Arts Horizons, Yeshivat Noam, and with YACHAD’s improv workshop for adults with special needs. As a private acting coach he has helped students get accepted to institutions such as NYU Tisch, and Pace's MFA program. He also collaborated as dramaturg for Daya Arts' classical Indian Dance piece, Vaisravana, which premiered in Washington DC at the Prakriti Dance “Festival of Villains.”
For Private Lessons/Inquiries please email: mdgardiner94@gmail.com
​
When Michael isn’t acting, directing, writing, or teaching, he is probably enjoying a hearty craft beer and watching reruns of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with his cat, Arya Stark.
