Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Michael Cavazos is a theatre maker and visual artist. He received his BFA in Theatre from Emerson College and his MA in Media Studies from The New School. Michael is the author of the play Gritos y Chismesitos and co-author of Chic and Sassy and Chic and Sassy: The Higher the Hair, the Closer to God. He is a founding member of the all-drag sketch comedy troupe Gender Offenders, performing under the name of Chic Ana. Their work is featured in the documentary, History in the Making: A Grassroots Fight for Marriage Equality and in the book, The People's Victory (2017). He performed on many New York stages, including The Duplex Cabaret, Nuyorican Poets Café, D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theatre, Beechman Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, La Mama, The Culture Project, and PS 122.

 

In Portland, he recently co-directed HOME / LAND with Hand2Mouth Theatre in collaboration with France's Begat Theatre and NYC's WaxFactory. He also directed The Revels' production of Un Pajarito Canta, a new work written by Yasmin Ruvalcaba. He previously directed and performed in Joaquin Lopez’ theatrical concert, Universo, and directed the show Voz Alta: Generaciones.

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He is a company member with Hand2Mouth and co-founder of the Latine company Moriviví Theatre. His collaborative digital project "Distancias" was featured in Hand2Mouth’s 2020-2021 season, in the 2021 Risk/Reward Festival of New Performances, and in Latino Theater Co.’s RE:Encuentro 2021 Theater Festival. He has worked with Imago, Milagro, Crave, Profile, Portland Center Stage and The Portland Revels. His video work called “de los cadáveres crecen flores/from the corpses flowers grow,” was commissioned by Portland Playhouse for their production "Joy (Comes) in the Mourning." During his Centro Cultural 2022 Artist Residency, he began writing a new play, "Terco Corazon," which explores media representation, racism, homophobia and class in the mid-90s.

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A teaching artist, Michael recently taught in Cairo, Egypt and Belgrade, Serbia. His visual art was selected as part of Portland’s Regional Arts and Culture Council’s new public art collection: “Capturing the Moment.” Michael is one of five Oregon performing artists to receive the 2021 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship for artists of outstanding talent, demonstrated ability and commitment to the creation of new work.

 

Michael currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with his husband, Rad, and furry baby, Mitzi.

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