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www.groovekorea.com / November 2014 48 Edited by Elaine Ramirez (elaine@groovekorea.com) MuSIC & ARTS Interview with Michael Downey, theater performer Column by Wilfred Lee / Photos by Edgebrook Images Artist’s Journey M ichael Downey is a direc- tor, actor and playwright who is, among many oth- er things, quite busy, and appears to have been for some time. First there was the training as a performer at the Unitec Institute’s Department of Perform- ing and Screen Arts in New Zealand. Then there was the master’s degree in drama studies from the University of Auckland. More recently, Downey has been an influ- ential member of the Seoul Shakespeare Company, playing the title role in “Mac- beth,” Prospero in “The Tempest” and Peter Quince in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In addition to his current role as a board member of Seoul Shakespeare Company, he has also performed with a who’s who of English-language theater companies on the peninsula. Not one to rest on his laurels, Downey’s recent direction of “New Year’s Eve” won first prize at Seoul Players’ 10 Minute Play Competition this past September. Artist’s Journey’s Wilfred Lee caught up with Downey to talk about his progression as a multifaceted performer.