Michael John Moynihan

Michael Moynihan is an originating multi-media artist, born in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He has worked as an actor, director, producer, writer, designer, composer, lyricist, graphic artist, cartoonist, mask & prop artisan, manager, administrator and playwright. In 1973 he co-founded Milwaukee Public Theatre (then named Friends Mime Theatre) and has been involved in the creation and production of more than 125 original theatre and video plays and revues. A graduate of Carroll College, Michael also conducted advanced studies at UW-Madison and at Trinity College. He has worked with the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre as an instructor and a director, and has also worked with Theatre X, the Skylight Comic Opera, First Stage Milwaukee, The Milwaukee Playwrights Theatre, Paradox Studio Theatre, The Wisconsin Music Theatre, The Lake Placid Playhouse and the Theatre Playhouse of British Columbia. During the 1970's his short films were honored and exhibited at festivals in North America, Europe, and Asia. As an artist in residence, creativity consultant and trainer he has worked in schools, communities and corporations throughout Wisconsin. As a teacher with the Milwaukee Public Schools, he created the first high school film and video classes in Milwaukee and also led teacher-training classes. He has also taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Carroll College, Alverno College and the Milwaukee Art Museum. He has recently worked with the students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Numerous grants and fellowships from government agencies, corporations and individuals have supported his creative work. At the Milwaukee Access Telecommunications Authority (MATA) he has served as the Assistant Executive Director, the Organizational Development Manager and while working in development, he obtained funding to create an Artist In Residence project and a Technology In Education Project. Enabling artist, students and educators to create their own television productions shown on cable TV. He also produced the Milwaukee Public Theatre Television Show, which was honored with a Philo T. Farnsworth Award in 1999. Mr. Moynihan has worked to improve arts support and funding in Milwaukee as a founding member of the Lincoln Center for the Arts, The Milwaukee Theatre Festival and The Milwaukee Artist Foundation. He has also served on the Board of Directors of AChoice and was an advisor to the Walker's Point Art Center.