#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 1: Michael Saltzman

Lindsay Denmark gave me this one -

365 day challenge: do something every day for a year. Some ideas: take a photograph of yourself in the same position (looks really cool in the end!), write in a journal, learn a new vocab word, save a dollar each day, etc.

So I've decided to take a moment every day for the next 365 to showcase and celebrate a different person who I think is pretty awesome, right here.

And leading us off, my dear friend and collaborator - Michael Saltzman.

The beard goes "Roar!"

We could start with the fact that Michael is one of the most talented actors and performers I know - with impeccable comedic timing, emotional depth, commitment, facial control, and a diverse depth of character range that allows me to say without reservation that while some parts may at first seem to suit him better, there is not a role out there Michael Saltzman would not excel at playing and make his own.

Or we could start with the fact that Michael is an amazing collaborator - incredibly smart, with tremendous instincts, kind, and the easiest person to work with I've ever met. We've done six shows together in the last calendar year alone - in every combination from actor/director, to director/producer, actor/producer, to sharing a scene onstage. I think he reigns supreme as my most frequent artistic collaborator and it's because every project with him is made fresh, exciting, and better for it.

But starting there is to ignore the most important component of Michael Saltzman - what a tremendously kind and caring man he is. Mikey is a good human being - loyal, considerate, and friendly. He is the kind of person to put the needs of others ahead of his own. And while he carries those qualities in his art, he even moreso does in his friendships. To know Michael Saltzman is to love him, because he engenders those kind of feelings simply by being who he is. It's been a privilege to watch him grow over the last several years - take more responsibility and ownership over habits standing in his way and accomplish a number of very personally challenging tasks - not always gracefully, but always with charm. And that struggle and success is an inspiration.

I'm beyond excited to have someone of his talent as a Flying V company member.

But most importantly, it's been an honor to have him as a friend.

See you tomorrow.