Meet Michael Gurshtein | Actor and Thin Films Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Gurshtein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I have always loved the concept of “this, too, shall pass.” It was the first phrase I had tattooed on my body. I like the reminder of mortality built into the phrase, but also the idea that all circumstances, no matter how good or bad, inevitably shift. This means that I try to relish the high points of life, to enjoy them as they occur and hold on to those memories fondly, and also that when I am in my darkest and hardest moods, that I have a way of breaking the downward spiral of depression with a reminder that it will not continue on forever. I think the phrase also applies well to choice: all things remaining the same is the definition of stagnation, and growth and progress come when you take risks and make new choices.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Creativity has always been present in my life. I learned to read around age four, immediately proceeded to read “Treasure Island” and fell in love with fantasy, adventure, and the written word. Soon thereafter, my mom and grandma started taking me to the theater, and given that we lived in Moscow, Russia, that meant world-class theater exposure on a regular basis. My grandma also helped me start a household newspaper around age six or seven called, roughly translated, “Glug Glug.” Since then writing has always been a passion I work at and hope to produce significant and meaningful work through. Just this year, I published my first chapbook of poetry, entitled “We” (Finishing Line Press, 2023). I would say that has been one of my greatest accomplishments thus far, and the result of about six years of effort. I also have a couple of writing projects percolating in the back of my head at all times, and I think that ultimately I will want to leave some form of writing as my lasting legacy to make the world a better place and life an easier space of existence for people. I have always come back to the theater. My teenage years were a struggle with self-confidence and depression, but getting to build sets and occasionally perform in high school were some of the woefully few bright spots. When I got to college, I studied physics and forgot all about theater for a decade, but once I returned to it in 2011, I have not let go of that creative outlet. I try to be on the stage as often as possible, and the pandemic was a real eye-opener for me in terms of professional desire. I have worked in laser optics manufacturing since I graduated college in 2006, and at this point, I want to walk away from that career and become a professional, full-time actor. This, of course, is not easy at all. In fact, the task feels quite daunting. Both film and stage acting are unpredictable and difficult careers to be very successful at, nor is the road to getting there at all clear or linear. Currently, I am applying to grad schools for MFA programs as my next step, but if I have learned anything about the theater world, it’s that you just have to get on the ride and see where it takes you. The ride can be scary. I have built a life in Denver for the last twenty years, and the path I am stepping on leads away from that to far-flung places. Still, it feels like the right direction for my creative career; I am excited to see where it goes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Any week-long stay with me would involve seeing theater, first and foremost. There are so many great companies in Denver. The Denver Center and Arvada Center, of course, but also Vintage and Firehouse over on the east side of town and Benchmark and Town Hall on the west side are places I am always happy to return to for quality performances. If a good punk show is happening, then off we go to Boulder Theater, Mission Ballroom, the Fillmore, or the Ogden. During the day, Meow Wolf is of course an experience everyone should have at least once, and the Denver Art Museum sports a respectable and enjoyable collection with interesting rotating exhibits. Food-wise, I don’t have too many favorite haunts, but I enjoy Trattoria Stella in the Highlands, the Schoolhouse in Olde Town Arvada, and Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox downtown. If we are already in Boulder, then really any place along Pearl Street will be a good time, as well as the Dushanbe Teahouse for a relaxing spot of tea by the creek.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who contribute to a person’s personality, life choices, and character. In recent years, the greatest influences and the foundation of stability and support for me have been my partners, Jess and Becca. My best friend, Ed, has been a grounding point of sanity for over 20 years. And as I try to radically advance on my acting career journey, Tim McCracken at DCPA has been instrumental in helping me shape my goals and how to drive towards them.

Website: michaelgurshtein.com

Image Credits
Brian Landis Folkins, Steve Rausch, Ed Berry, Hannah Richards