Artist Spotlight: Michael Hagins

The idea behind Conquering the Canon is extremely simple, but also extremely complicated.  It’s a one-man show about Michael Hagins, the only African-American man to have been in all of Shakespeare’s canon.  Well, sign me up yesterday!  First of all, I am a huge Shakespeare fan, so I’ll eat up anything about the Bard.  Secondly, I love when Shakespeare is performed differently from the way it was written.  There’s a lot of that these days, with gender swapping and such.  And most modern Shakespeare is going to have POC in it, but that doesn’t take away from what Hagins has done.

We’ve been promised that this piece is going to be performed Shakespeare style…and although I’m not sure of the specifics of that (and I’m sure I won’t until I’m watching the play!), it sounds extremely intriguing.  I know we don’t have a ton of pre-show info on Hagins, but honestly, I’ve soaked in everything and…well, I can’t say the word intriguing enough.  And it gets even better!  I was able to get some pre-show interview questions over to Hagins!

Hagins has such beautiful command and understanding of what he’s doing with this show.  His insight is invaluable, and I think encompasses a lot about what he’s doing, why he’s doing it, why it’s so important, and so much more.  I couldn’t have asked for better answers to my interview questions…I think it’ll also help me when I get to see the show on Saturday.  I really love these thought out and honest answers.  It makes me feel like I did something right, too!

Shakespeare addresses a lot of issues that are still relevant today, racism included.  How do you temper being African-American with working in Shakespeare?

It's caused me lots of stress at times.  I've done so many shows where I was the only African-American in the cast.  It really makes you think about how and why you're cast in shows...and you have to have self-esteem and confidence to believe in your own talent.  You wonder if this is what you SHOULD be doing.  At the end of the day, though...I love it!  I'm an African-American man who has done every Shakespearean play...and I'd love someday to say I'm the first one to do it...and not the only one.

Why do you want to bring this story to us?

On a purely selfish note...it was catharsis for me.  Having just lost my mother...it really helped me put something out there to deal with my sadness.  I know for me...I express my emotions and write them down rather than keep them inside.  And as for why I want to bring the story to you...the people...I feel like everyone has a story to tell, and I want to show that anyone can tell their story...with whatever mode or medium they want to express themselves with.

How do you make Shakespeare accessible to everyone in your work?

I use the fact that Shakespeare is so malleable and adjustable to the times that it can be done in any setting.  So many Shakespeare shows today allow it to be modernized or put in different times than just the Globe Theater.  I've done shows as a Mafia biopic, Looney Tunes cartoons, Commedia dell'arte and so much more.  And every time...I feel like the audience connects in a very positive way.

What is it like performing in an ensemble (especially a Shakespeare one!) versus a one-person show?

This one-man show is terrifying for me.  I worry about my voice.  I worry about my stutter.  I worry about being able to connect in a real way.  With ensemble show, you have the whole cast that can carry you and support you, and there's a real comfort to that.  The one good thing about the one-man show...I get to feel connected with everyone.  Up close and personal.

What is Shakespeare to you?

The best,  Simply the best.  I've met all of my close friends doing Shakespeare.  Some of my greatest awards and precious moments came from doing Shakespeare.  And I've literally done every Shakespeare show, and have at least one memory that makes me smile to this day.

What’s up next?

I'm going to be taking a theatre break to support my wife and grow our family.  But I've been working on an 11 person 90 minute combined production of Henry VI Parts 1 and 2 for Shakespeare Sports.  They'll take the time to fundraise and apply for grants while I keep working on the adaptation.  Hopefully in 2028 you'll be able to see it come to life.  And I'll have time to work on more original work...and especially my Amazon version of Titus Andronicus.

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I am so excited to see this show!  Every last piece of it sounds like it’s going to be a stunning work of art.  Not only does it bring some of my favorite things together (one-person shows, Shakespeare…) it was created with care.  Hagins used everything inside himself to give us Conquering the Canon, and I have no doubt that actually getting to see it will not disappoint.  There is so much in this show, and I think what I’m hearing the most is love.  Hagins knows what he’s doing, and that’s the beating heart of this.