AYLI Artist Profile: Michael Mergen

Michael Mergen plays Corin and Charles the Wrestler in Shrewd's upcoming production of As You Like It.

About Michael

Michael has 20 years theater and film experience, with more than 40 productions to his credit as an actor, producer, director and designer. Michael has appeared in more than 20 Shakespearean and other Elizabethan plays, with companies including Shakespeare at Winedale, Austin Free Shakespeare Society, Bedlam Faction and Hidden Room. Most recently, Michael was honored to be chosen to play Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream for the 45th Anniversary Reunion of Shakespeare at Winedale. Michael is also a company member of Rude Mechs theater collective.

Why are you excited about this production of As You Like It?

Once upon a time, Michael knew nothing about Shakespeare, but he had a connoisseur's understanding of professional wrestling from years of watching his heroes like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant and Rowdy Roddy Piper.

When he learned Shakespeare wrote a play featuring a professional "wrastler" (First Folio spelling!) Michael suddenly understood that Shakespeare, beyond being a great poet and writer, was a genius of popular entertainment. Michael Mergen is super excited to be playing Charles the "Wrastler".