Mike Kirkland

Michael Kirkland, won Best Short Award as Director of the film "Choices", at the Cannes Artisan Film Festival, while at the 65th Festival De Cannes, 2012. [May 2012]

After relocating to Los Angeles, Michael's first professional film work came as an extra in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Though his part, which basically involved him taking his shirt on and off, never made it into the film, it did get Michael his SAG card, and opened the door for his professional acting career. Michael's professional training came first with Stella Adler-trained actor Carey Scott at Carey Scott's Rehearsal Room in San Diego, then in Los Angeles at the Howard Fine Acting Studio and, finally, at the Beverly Hills Playhouse with Richard Lawson. Michael has also read extensively on the craft of acting, studying books by Sanford Meisner, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Michael Shurtleff, Uta Hagen, Richard Boleslawski and, his personal favorite, Milton Katselas. Director of the award winning short "choices".

Michael J. Kirkland was born in Watertown, New York. His parents, Robert and Maria, named him after the Archangel Michael or maybe the Patron Saint St. Michael. It all sounds like a typical press release but that's the way it is. Originally from Watertown, New York, Michael moved with his mother and stepfather to Syracuse and, later, to Altoona, Pennsylvania where he graduated from high school in 1993.