Diversity Rules Magazine

4 Diversity Rules Magazine March 2014 Actor/performer and writer MI- CHAEL CAVA- DIAS graduated from the Experi- mental Theatre Wing at the Tish School of the Arts where he stud- ied with the likes of Andre Gregory and went on to perform with Mabou Mines E.T.C., Blacklips Performance Cult (founded by Antony of Antony and the John- sons). He developed the character, Claywoman, at Blacklips and then with Mabou Mines as a part of their resident artist program. He has acted in many films, including Wonder Boys (alongside Michael Douglas and Robert Downey Jr.), Seeing You In Circles, and Gypsy 83. Television appear- ances include New York Undercover, Third Watch & others. Michael fronted the rock band Bullet who's songs were featured in the film The Safe- ty of Objects and he is currently a featured per- former with the acclaimed political cabaret The Citizens Band. He recently wrote and performed as Claywoman in The Mystery of Claywoman (Di- rected by Rob Roth) at Deitch Projects, The New Museum for Contemporary Art, The Wild Project and opened for Antony and the Johnsons at Town Hall. He recently traveled to the UK to perform a new work (Conversations with Claywoman) at the Meltdown Festival, curated by Antony. Upcom- ing projects include the short film "Junkie Doctors" directed by Rob Roth & written by MIchael Cava- dias, & an appearance in the "Caveman" music video for "In the City" with Julia Stiles. Michael will also be playing "Kelvyn" in the 1st episode of the next season of Girls on HBO. Michael is also a DJ. Michael plays a mix of rock, pop, 80's, disco, funk, alternative & electro. Resi- dencies include Marquee, Greenhouse, Juliet, Goldbar, the Ace Hotel, Lotus, Soho Grand The Garden of Ono, La Esquina, Hotel Chantelle and many other top venues. Recently, he was the DJ for Rufus Wainwright's record release party at The Gramercy Park Hotel, Alan Cummings Halloween party at Soho Grand and Boy George's birthday party in London. He has played parties for Estee Lauder, MTV, phillips de pury, PAPER magazine, & LifeBall in Vienna. In London he has been a guest at Caligula, Slave to Fashion, and The Dal- ston Superstore. JRK: Can you give Diversity Rules an idea of who Michael Cavadias is, a bit about your background and how it impacted the person you are today? MC: I grew up in Santa Cruz, CA and had the arche- typal gay terror experience as a kid, taunting, disap- proving father etc. but also mixed with lovely friends and some great experiences. I think that having to deal with so much intense rejection at an early age slowed me down a bit but also hopefully instilled more empathy in me and an ability to identify with societies outsiders in general. JRK: You graduated from the Experimental e- atre Wing at the Tish School of the Arts. Can you tell us a bit about the school and why is it called the "experimental theater wing?" MC: It's a wonderful program with so many incred- ibly gifted teachers. Honestly, I arrived in NY totally broken and confused and I think my experience at ETW fundamen- tally changed the trajectory of my life, broke me open and allowed me the space to begin a creative process. Some of the things they taught us there took years for me to finally under- stand afterwards. A Conversation With Michael Actor, Performer, Writer and Claywoman An Interview By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisher

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