We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Micah Tsekiri a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Micah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on. Brilliant question. I feel that almost every project I have worked on so far has had a profound meaning for me. This ranges from my work with 4Deuce Films on the Daniel Glenn-Barbour directed feature film “Ain’t Hidin Nuttin’ to the upcoming web series “Making A Short”; separately, to the indie comedy and crime drama, Curzon and BFI-screened shorts, “Bad Apples” and “Four Wings”, respectively. Each speaks on the complexity of friendship and how conflicts of interest affect our relationships. However, the one which is the most meaningful for me, thus far, is a feature film I am currently working on: Dallada Films’ “Boy Soul Man Heart” – written and directed by Marie-Eva Volmar.
This project has become the most meaningful because, from the moment I received the request to audition, I knew this was a character and story significantly bigger than me. Truthfully, every story is bigger than me because you have a team to represent; however, this was the first time a character I portray closely emulates a wide, yet marginalised, region of people. This is through the main protagonist, Mathias Henderson, who in our story, reflects on his life; being a victim of sexual abuse; and trauma with a support group of female survivors in a community center. His bravery to open up and speak on his story is indescribably meaningful to me, and I knew I had the responsibility to bring him to life in a way that not only does him justice, but does every black man, marginalised person and victim of abuse justice.
There is a deep innate intricacy within Mathias which truly compelled me when I read the script for the first time. Upon reading, I knew this character was deeply affected, influenced and molded by his surroundings and circumstances. Seeing it unfold in a very raw and honest way helped me channel Mathias in the process – that is a true testament to the poignant writing, courtesy of the brilliant Marie-Eva. Getting into his shoes from the beginning has been heavy, but the care and delicacy that my fellow cast and I have exercised in this story truly demonstrates to me, that we all know how important this is for us to get right! This project feels like our baby and it’s the most beautiful thing one can experience.
Thus, I would have to say “Boy Soul Man Heart” – watch out for that one.
Micah , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hey! My name is Micah Tsekiri — an actor on the rise on the scene. My work consists of Film, TV, web series, theatre, commercials, music videos and more. Furthermore, my job, and career thus far, would simply not be where it is at this moment in time, without my inspiration. My inspiration in the creative space, include Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Robert Downey Jr, Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen, LaKeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Andrew Garfield, the late great Chadwick Boseman and many more. Honestly, if there was an artist whom I have tried to emulate the most, in terms of their approach, wisdom, humility and drive in the industry, it must be Viola. Viola Davis is a force. The way she carries herself as an artist, the honesty that she wears on her sleeve when it comes to being her most authentic self and bringing that to every role she portrays, is immensely inspiring. I would say, my favourite lesson from her, must be when she sat with BAFTA, discussing the work that she does at home before going on set – being prepared to be surprised, and being okay with being wrong about aspects of character. To me, it affirmed that it is better to study your character and commit to those bold choices, rather than performing with a lack of security and ownership over your being. In other words, I would rather be boldly wrong about an aspect of my character, than timidly correct. This mindset has helped me gauge the humility, grace and confidence that one must have, to bring my best to the table.
Viola also named her inspirations in that interview, Cicely Tyson and Meryl Streep – that was cool to me because it reminded me that we are all a part of the same profession. It is the same ball game; a collaborative, human ball game. Artists with this gift, and drive to improve and consistently learn and learn for their entire career, can be and have the right to be heard! She just effortlessly inspires me to get up and bring my “A-Game” wherever I go.
Speaking of my A-Game, I had to bring that, a lot of charm and “luck” to the table when putting my foot through the door in this industry. It all came from a very vivid vision I had one day in my dorm room; the “this is right” feeling I had before I snapped back to reality, was hard to ignore. So, I got to researching, namely the best & WORST parts of the industry, and accepted the road ahead. The #1 worst part according to my research? Rejection. Thank God I accepted that mentally because if I had gone into this game without that prior knowledge, the level of rejection we faced would have racked my mind. My first yes for professional credit came from a UK creative agency, Levile TV. The founder, Ola Christian, was looking for talent outside of London and took me on for a music video credit for UK musicians Ray BLK (singer) and Giggs (rapper) on their song “Games”. Momentum carried on from there, where I went to land credits on TV and web – Channel 4’s Filly & Harry Sketch show – musical theatre in a production of “The White Rose” as Christoph Probst in the civil movement against Hitler’s reign of tyranny in Germany.
Truthfully, I find great pride in my work, especially in my first feature film here in the States, directed by the talented Marie-Eva Volmar, “Boy Soul Man Heart”. This is the process, I would say that I am most proud of, thus far in my career. Putting together the portrayal of my character Mathias, alongside my cast mate, Alontae Williams (who also plays a younger version of Mathias in this film) and Marie-Eva, has been brilliant. I have discovered the beauty in the collaboration because, through this process, I learned exponentially about Mathias, and indirectly myself. It is beautiful honestly, proud is an understatement – I cannot wait until we bring this to life for you all to see.
Furthermore, I feel what sets me apart from other actors, would be… me. My Micah-isms. I bring something to my characters that will always make them unique to me, I feel. Regardless of, if I am portraying an eccentric young photographer (“Flawless”); a young man with a comically vast imagination (“Bad Apples” – 2024 short film on YouTube); a man who gives in to a life of crime due to a thirst for vengeance to those who have wronged him (4Deuce Films’ “Ain’t Hidin Nuttin” – 2024 feature film on YouTube); to an Avatar/Mystique-inspired supernatural being (G-Shock’s 40th Anniversary “Built Different” campaign). All of these characters have a very distinct portrayal to them, that I painted together, in a way that was authentically and unmistakably mine. I am proud of the way I own and put my imprint on my characters, whilst displaying my versatility as an artist. I do this with no apologies – and I would say, that is what sets me apart from other actors in the game. A Micah Tsekiri performance is Micah Tsekiri’s – yet I promise you, I am not a predictable artist either. Predictable is boring. Hence, if I had to establish my “brand” through my work, it would be: ‘to be unmistakable and unapologetic with my art’.
Lastly, one thing I would love people to know about me, is I am forever an ambitious dreamer. I would love to be a part of an action-drama, action-comedy, a buddy-cop flick. A two-hander ‘Malcolm & Marie’-style perhaps! But, perhaps most especially… a sci-fi flick? Maybe even a superhero flick. I mean… my dream role is Richard Rider’s NOVA, and I hear the team at Marvel Studios is running a Disney+ project on Richard and the Nova Corps – may be doing it Star Trek style also. All I’ll say is… guys, I’m game. Or Warren Worthington III’s ANGEL, he’s so incredibly intricate and empathetic – his journey, in the comics, is heartbreakingly fantastic. Bringing him to life on the big screen would be the coolest thing ever. See, one thing about me, I will shamelessly find any excuse to manifest my dream roles. Best believe I am praying on this after this interview!
I think that’s everything. I will probably read this back and be like, “damn, how did I forget that?!” Regardless, Canvas, let’s do this again sometime! Once again, I am Micah Tsekiri and to anyone who reads all this – real love to you!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is realising the impact we have on people. When I decided to become an actor, it felt like a calling – it still does – however, as I went along, I realised why. Our profession, as artists, allows us to impact lives in ways that are unique to us. The first time I was thanked for just, doing what I do, was by people who do not know me personally. It was incredible. However, the one that hit me deepest was being told this by someone I do know personally. That was because that person themselves inspired me, because of how they are as a person and for what they stand for. The fact the stories I have been privileged to tell already mixed with my personal story as Micah Tsekiri, the creative making his way through this artistic space, could encourage literally anyone or everyone to get through the day is… rewarding.
Even regarding what I am set to do in the future. My team and I have a range of stories in store, and we are so incredibly excited and grateful to bring these stories to life. Like with the aforementioned “Boy Soul Man Heart”, which is currently in pre-production, I am humbled by the opportunity to bring Mathias’ story to life because of the profound power of his story, I understand there are MANY Mathias’ in the world, and for that, the most rewarding aspect of it will be representing them in a way that makes them feel seen, which makes them feel courage, which empowers them to be their real sense of self.
Ultimately, I believe this aspect of being an artist or creative is the most rewarding because it reminds me that the arts, film, theatre, television, musicals – are all bigger than me.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn, was the myth of chasing the “perfect audition tape”. When I started, the industry shifted heavily towards the self-tape audition route. Hence, with that, artists I know would encourage doing the tape repeatedly until you have ironed out every wrinkle possible; resulting in your “perfect performance”. The issue I found with that was catering to the “technical side” of the self-tape rather than encapsulating the absolute truth of my version of the character I am bringing to life. I had to unlearn the “technical” side of things and learn to take the instructions and the requirements for self-tapes and play with that, in service of my character.
The backstory to realising I had to unlearn that was through a friend and frequent collaborator of mine, Daniel Glenn-Barbour, founder of 4Deuce Films. I sent him an audition tape for a cable series for his thoughts and he advised me to “treat it less like a self-tape”. Little did he know that advice pushed me to understand the beauty of the self-tape is in the authenticity and the “imperfection” of the tape. To embrace the wrinkles, I once wanted to smooth out, because those wrinkles are me, and glimpses of my truth within the character I am portraying. Giving an insight into the little things that make them authentic. For example, his bad habits, the way he scratches his head when he feels overwhelmed to calm himself down, and more. I learned these little “wrinkles” are gems that were not on the page – and they fill the gaps that casting leaves open for you to fill. That’s where the uniqueness in each actor’s portrayal of a character comes to life. Through how and why we interpret what we are told and, especially, what we are NOT explicitly told about our characters through the audition process!
So, I went away and studied the space that I could use to physically express myself as my character – i.e. how much room my phone camera allows for me to use if I feel like it. Understanding my circumstances, space and aura in the room allowed me to truly live in my character. Since this revelation, I have had so much fun with filming audition tapes. I treat them like my own little show. I genuinely love putting together a self-tape now, because I unlearned the “technical” or “perfect” cookie-cutter prospect of it and learned to take those risks and treat it like we are on set. On set, not having to do 22 self-tapes just to end up sending off take 2, living in the character, making bold choices and going with the raw, ballsiest and most authentic version of these stories we bring to life through the people we are auditioning as.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/micahtsekiri
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micahtsekiri/
- Twitter: https://x.com/micahtsekiri
- Other: Email:
[email protected]TikTok:
@micahtsekiriInstagram:
@micahtsekiri
Image Credits
Daniel Samray
Zoe Knowles
Carla Roves
Adam McCormack
ShraffDidIt