MICHAEL VENSKE

Stages Theater Company
Talent Poole

PRAISE

• "He is the best man for the job... He's got the Hollywood look and tenacity." -Byron Knibb, Film Director
• "Michael Venske's roguish charm is impossible to take your eyes away from on the stage. He brought a new level of energy to every scene he was involved in and always played to the hilt." - Rachel Teagle, Co-Producer / Co-Founder Questionable Company Theatre
• "Michael is thoroughly professional in how he approaches his craft and his role in a show.  His choices are interesting and the audiences have always loved him in every Rubber Chicken Theater production in which he's taken part." - Brian Matuszak, Executive Producer, Rubber Chicken Theater, Duluth, MN
• "I was impressed with his versatility as an actor and professionalism. He has energy and was able to add much more to the performance than I had even originally expected. I would gladly work with him again." - Ben Mudek, Film Producer / Director
• "The only way I can adequately describe working with Michael Venske is by saying it's like riding a unicorn made of lasers." - Ben Egerman, Co-Producer / Co-Founder Questionable Company Theatre

FRINGE FESTIVAL REVIEWS for CASANOVA MAN

• "The only redeeming qualities were Pete (Michael Venske) and Emma's performances." - Sid Starwind
• "...and Michael Venske as the bartender made me practically fall out of my seat when he left his post as drink server and began to seduce women and join the cast in a dance sequence near the end that was hilarious!" - Chuck Beeson
• "Emma and Pete (Michael Venske) really made the show." - Katherine Arcand
• "Michael Venske and Lourey Middlecamp kept my interest throughout." - Re Gurgitate
• "...the only character that stood out was Michael Venske's "Bartender Pete." The "Pete" character had the bright spot of the show..." - Nick Decker

VOTED AUDIENCE FAVORITE

• "The Chinchillas" in Master Works: The Goya Plays - Izzie - Commedia Beauregard - Michael Agnew, Dir.

++Bold indicates current / up-coming productions++

THEATER

• The Outsiders - Jerry/Dr. - Stages Theatre Company - TBD, Dir.
• Master Works: The Rembrandt Plays - Son - Commedia Beauregard - Bethany Simmons, Dir.
• The Gay Mob (staged reading) - Sean Foss - The Show So Gay - Anthony Stanton, Dir.
• Master Works: The Goya Plays - Izzie - Commedia Beauregard - Michael Agnew, Dir.
• Panda Sandwich Sketch Comedy - Various Characters (Writer) - Questionable Company Theatre - Teagle/Egerman
• The Weekly… - Various Characters (Writer) - Got Nothin’ To News, Prod.
• Two Gentlemen of Verona - Ensemble - Guthrie Theater - Joe Dowling, Dir.
• The Fam - Owen - Urban Samurai Prod. - Aaron Christopher, Dir.
• Freedom: Some Restrictions Apply - Various Characters (Writer) - Brave New Institute - Caleb McEwen, Dir.
• Casanova Man - Bartender Pete - Fringe Festival 2008 - Chris Frank, Dir.
• Christmas Attitudes - Various Characters - Homeward Bound Theatre - Bruce Kirkpatrick, Dir.
• Your Private Apocalypse - Ralphy - Fringe Festival 2007 - Lindsey Dorsey, Dir.

COMMUNITY / EDUCATIONAL THEATER

• Chicken Hat Plays - TBD - Rubber Chicken Theater, Duluth, MN
• Star Wars...Finally. - Han - Rubber Chicken Theater, Duluth, MN
• Strike! Turn – Out at the Mill - Henry Hazard - Stepping Stone Theatre - Richard Hitchler, Dir.
• Poetry Slam Underdogs - M.C. - Rubber Chicken Theater, Duluth, MN
• The Thorn - Simon (Jesus, understudy) - North Heights Productions - Mark David Williams, Dir.
• HONK! - Ugly - Duluth Playhouse, Duluth MN - Rob Marshall, Dir.

IMPROVISATION

• Stevie Ray's Company Member '09 - '10 - Various Characters - Stevie Ray's Improv Company - Maureen Tubbs, Dir.
• Dudley Riggs’ Improv Marathon - Various Characters - Brave New Institute - John Haynes, Dir.
• Improv A Go-Go - Various Characters - Five Man Job, Prod.
• Monday Night Comedy Show - Various Characters - Mime Rifle, Prod.
• Religious Pretense - Corinthia - Four Humors Theatre - Dave Jennings, Dir.
• 6 Ring Circus - Various Characters - Brave New Institute - John Haynes, Dir.
• Last Laugh - Various Characters - La Vie Theatre - Jason Schommer, Dir.

COMMERCIAL* / FILM / INDUSTRIAL**

• Red Sweater Girl - Supporting - Melissa Hoppe, Dir.
• Slumberland* - Supporting - Lisa Illies, Dir.
• A Tale of Delight - Lead - Edd Blott, Dir.
• Next! - Supporting - John Gaspard, Dir.

Tempur-Pedic "Cloud"* - Extra - The Artists Company - Michael Cuesta, Dir.

• Someone, Something - Lead - Joyer Joint - Matt Joyer, Dir.
• Faux - Extra - Falling Up Sky Pictures - Christopher Beer, Dir.
• Black Bear Casino "New Years Eve"* - Extra - Parthe, Inc. - Lance Parthe, Dir.
• Pancho Villa "Decision"* - Lead - Marco Polo Advertising - Heidi Weitzer, Dir.
• Anytime Fitness* - Extra - 185 Media, Inc. - Sam Fisher, Dir.
• Great Book Heist - Principal - Ben Mudek, Dir
• CyberDefender* - Featured - Marketing Architects - John Priess, Dir.
• Commuter Challenge* - Lead - Periscope Productions - Charlie Koch, Dir.
• Cox Communications* - Extra - Blue 60 Pictures - Greg Winter, Dir.
• Forty Grand - Lead - Bancroft Entertainment - Brian Magarian, Dir.
• The Share-A-Pult** - Supporting - Augsburg Fortress - Aaron Christopher, Dir.
• Sealed With A Bullet - Featured - Urban Mountain Media - Harrison Reeder, Dir.
• Fall Into Me - Extra - Indiewood Pictures - Tim VandeSteeg, Dir.
• Toyota Dealership Pitch - Lead - Gaardhouse Productions - Zechariah Thormodsgaard, Dir.

STUDENT FILMS

• FML - Featured - Eric Binfet, Dir.
• One Door Opens - Extra - Anthony Oslund, Dir.
• God is Good - Principal - Byron Knibb, Dir.
• Be Still - Lead - Alexander Stevens, Dir.
• Allie - Supporting - Lilly Ball, Dir.
• Barman - Lead - Matt Joyer, Dir.
• Bella And The Revolution - Principal - Elizabeth Fox, Dir.
• The Wedding - Principal - Jasmine Navy, Dir.
• To Rest In Peace - Lead - MCTC Film Dept.

WEBISODE

• Dude Weather 9-30-08 - Featured - Jimmy Gaines, Dir.
• Zipnosis* - Principal - Elliot Robia, Dir.

VOICE OVER

• Minnesota Zoo Short - Narrator - Minnesota School of Business - Andy Kile, Dir.

Send Email
Primary telephone: (612) 877-2436
Web site: Michael Venske's Website

• Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop, 2 Year Study – Improvisation, Minneapolis
• Mick Napier Master Improvisation Workshop, Chicago
• Cheryl Moore-Brinkly Audition Workshop, Minneapolis
• Caleb McEwen Sketch Writing, Minneapolis
• Jimmy Carrane Improvisation Intensive, Chicago
• Sandra K. Horner Introduction to Method-Meisner-Lewis, Minneapolis
• Matthew Feeney Professional Extra Workshop, Minneapolis
• Michelle Hutchison On-Camera Workshop, Minneapolis

70" tall
Plays ages:   Teen   20s   30s  
Slender build

Actor

Character Voice
improv
Hosting

Comedy Situational
Comedy Sketch
Improvisation

Saxophone

Child Wrangler
Light Board Operator
Lighting Technician

Lights
Sound

Corporate Event
Sketch Comedy
Criticism
Educational
Humor
Solo Monologue/Performance Art

Comedy Situational
Comedy Sketch
Solo Monologue