Treading the boards
Early success with stand up comedy gave me the confidence to audition for Acting 101 for my last year at UBC. Professor Charles Siegel got me all fired up and that year I got cast in four plays. I graduated in 1990 and moved to Toronto to pursue my dream.
and ….. 35 years later
death of a salesman
stratford festival 2026
composer, music curator - solo trumpet
also playing the role of Stanley
soundtrack recording available May 2026
The Laundry List
Vintage Taps 2024
Narrator / Bootlegger / trumpet
composed and performed original song “Birdie Watcher”
counting sheep
lemon bucket orkestra 2016 - 2017
patriarch / priest / protester / soldier trumpet
Toronto productions - cooked and served a meal for 35 and prepared perogies and borscht for 120
2016 Broadview Place, Toronto Dora Awards for Ensemble & Choreography
2017 Edinburgh Fringe six awards including Scotsman Fringe First and the Amnesty International Award
Kilkenny Arts Festival - Kilkenny Ireland Freedom Festival - Hull, UK Ruhr Festival - Recklinghausen, Germany University of California Berkeley Stanford University 3LD in New York City
Twisting for peace
buddies in bad times theatre 2004
On the brink of World War Three, activist and singer, Michael Louis Johnson takes on the corporate monolith. It’s not a conspiracy, it’s a business plan, he says. This monologue tests the limits of free speech. Workshop readings had crowds dancing at Toronto’s Cameron House and Rancho Relaxo.
video from an earlier first read at the Cameron House
LADY SPEAK EASY
LA MAMA E.T.C. NYC 2000
written & directed by Sean Power
music curated & directed by Michael Louis Johnson also played the role of Joey
“music of a quality rarely heard in the theatre” New Yorker Magazine, Feb 14, 2000
cast included Bemshi Shearer as Billie Holiday & a very young Jeremy Pelt on trumpet
absolutely the last supper
fringe Toronto & Montreal 1992
playwright & the role of Judas
smash hit, sold out runs in both Montreal and Toronto
race for unity
yes oh yes 1992
company member improv actor
true story re-creation
non-literal expression of emotional state through sound and motion
Michael Louis Johnson
theatre resume
The Laundry List - BOOTLEGGER/MUSICIAN - Vintage Taps - original MLJ composition "Birdie Watcher" 2024 at the Al Green Theatre, Toronto
Counting Sheep - CHEF/PRIEST/MUSICIAN - Guerilla Folk Opera created by Lemon Bucket Orkestra 2016-17 Summerworks, Toronto, Edinburgh Fringe, Germany, UK, Ireland, Berkeley, Stanford, NYC
A Drink With Death - NATIVE MAN/MUSICIAN - Roumana Sotus - original MLJ composition “Starlight Tour” 2014 at the Cameron Public House, Toronto.
A Midwinter’s Night - CHORUS - w/ Lemon Bucket Orkestra / Yara Arts 2013 at La MaMa E.T.C. NYC 2014 at Harbourfront Theatre, Toronto
Twisting for Peace – PLAYWRIGHT/LEAD- one man show, workshop - Cameron Public House 2002 with Brokn Social Scene, workshopped at Rhubarb festival 2004 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Lady/Speak/Easy – MUSIC DIRECTOR/ACTOR - by Sean Power - 2000 at La MaMa E.T.C. NYC
Glengarry Glen Ross (Mamet)- Aaronow - Column 13 - Premiere Dance Theatre
Death of a Salesman (Miller)- Howard - Column 13 - Toronto Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Feelgood - CO-WRITER/DIRECTOR - Bud's on Broadway - Fringe Toronto 1997
First & Last – CO-WRITER/DIRECTOR – Eric Tunney / Tim Rykert - Fringe Toronto 1993
The Lesson (Eunesco) - Professor - Pacun Peras Teatro - Actors Lab
Black Light (Menen-DesLeal) - Blind Man - Pacun Peras Teatro - Actors Lab
Absolutely the Last Supper - PLAYWRIGHT/LEAD - 1992 Montreal Fringe and Fringe Toronto
The Task (Mueller).- lead - Glen Morris Theatre
Boys’ Life (Korder) - PHIL - Glen Morris Theatre
Trojan Women - MENELAUS - Olive Branch - Poor Alex Theatre
She Stoops to Conquer - DIGGERY, TOM - Fredric Wood Theatre
pdf version available on request
company member improv actor
true story re-creation
non-literal expression of emotional state through sound and motion