Michael Patricelli

Michael has been in love with acting since he was 5 years old; the energy around storytelling and the limitless imagination that it offers. He also had strong role models as he was growing up that further fueled the fire of his love for acting; his father, Giuseppe Patricelli (who was involved in an acting troupe in Italy when he was younger) and his grade 9-12 drama teacher, Rob Lombardi (who taught with such passion and dedication that it allowed his students, and myself in particular, to grow quickly as an actor and experience the stage to the fullest.  

Michael considers himself a jack of all trades; flexible and fast learning in all facets on work and life. He has had hands on experience with stage and screen, as well as working in the film and television industry as a production assistant and second assistant director. He has also worked in the service industry for over 10 years, and as a carpenter/handyman for the last 6 years. He believes that this range of experiences has given him a wide scope to draw from for any role required.  

Michael attended McMaster University for Theatre and Film and English studies. He then began his education toward becoming a teacher, but decided instead to pursue a career in the film and television industry to gain hands on experience. Throughout university, as well as during his high school days, he was involved in a myriad of different community productions ranging from musicals, to Shakespeare, to postmodern performances. These productions include:  High school; Guys and Dolls as Guy/Chorus , Once Upon a Mattress as Knight/Chorus, Leader of the Pack as Chris (minor lead; Community Theatre (Hamilton Theatre Inc.) Once Upon a Mattress as Knight/Chorus, A Funny thing Happened On the way to the Forum as Protean/Chorus,  Jekyll and Hyde as Simone Stride (minor lead), Half-past 8pm as Mark (lead) ; University (McMaster Fall Major and Directors Series Productions) Love dot comm as Ensemble (various roles), Crow’s Nest as White (main character), Lion in the Streets as George/Maria,  Jude I am as Jones/Ensemble, The Opportunist as  Ryan Flannigan (lead) and Much ado About Nothing as Don Jon. I also took on the role of production manager for several productions, including Train City Shuffle, Mythsinterpreted, and Classes in Discord (all of which were university productions).   

Professionally, Michael got to play Kenicke in Theatre Aquarius’  2007 production of Grease. As well he got to participate in the 2012 Toronto Fringe Festival: performed as the ‘King of Hearts’ in Absolute Alice (an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland) and the 2017 Hamilton Fringe Festival : performed ‘John’ in The Yellow Wallpaper. He was also a background extra for film and television on programs like Death to Smoochy (2002 film), American Pie: Beta House (2007 film), American Pie: Naked Mile (2006 film), Degrassi TNG (TV; two episodes) and The Best Years (TV; two episodes). 

McMaster University was Michaels main training ground, with its hands-on acting training under the tutelage of Dr. Peter Cockett. Michael was also fortunate enough over the years to be involved in Lou Zamprogna’s Acting Class through Theatre Aquarius Senior Summer Programs, as well as Beginner Dance for Musical Theatre with Amanda and Lou Zamprogna through the same program. He also took beginner ballroom and ballet classes through McMaster University programs.  

Currently, Michael is focusing on voice over training, while expanding his acting career. He has taken a Ron Rubin workshop in Toronto and classes with Tarah Consoli at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Center where he has recently completed an animation demo and is ready to take on any and every creative opportunity he sees. 

Although Michael has taken a 9 year break from acting, he has never lost the desire to perform on the stage and screen. Life is full of twists and turns, including a motorcycle accident that forced him to change careers for a spell. He believes that all of our experiences push us in a certain direction, and if we’re willing to listen, and look at all of the opportunities presented to us as gifts, we really get to take control of our stories. It’s up to us to choose our next steps. He believes that he was made to express himself creatively, and to dive deep into the well of emotional experiences that make us human. Michael is an empathetic, caring, worrier of a warrior who takes on every task with a can-do, problem-solving attitude.  With his strong work ethic, creative outlook, and collaborative attitude (all traits instilled by his loving family and friends who always cheer him on), he knows that he can make his dreams come true and help an ever growing industry tell the stories that hopefully inspire this world, and future generations.