Katie Tabeling
Elm Staff Writer
Mike Zurawski, who portrays the character of Argan in this weekend’s production of “The Imaginary Invalid,” has been active in Washington College campus life on and off the stage. Besides avidly studying drama, he has participated in a many activities. Zurawski works as the Distribution Manager for The Elm, a Resident Advisor and Senator for Chester, and Director of Arts Entertainment on the Student Events Board. However, his crowning achievement would be his acting career.
Zurawski’s impressively extensive acting career began at the young age of eleven. After graduating to middle school, he continued thriving in the spotlight. In the span of four years, Zurawski has not only acted in eight productions, but he was scouted for Newmann’s Center Stage Productions, a theater troupe in Pennsylvania.
“Every year I tell myself ‘I’m not going back [to Center Stage]’ but I always go back,” Zurawski said. He has been with Center Stage for eleven years.
Since then, his resume has blossomed. Zurawski has been active for eleven years in theater and has appeared in 40 shows. His notable roles are Hero in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Troy Bolton in “High School Musical,” and Hugo in “Bye Bye Birdie.” For Zurawski, choosing a favorite from the plethora of shows, however, is a difficult task. “I enjoy a lot of my shows. There aren’t really a lot that I’ve done that I haven’t enjoyed so it’s kind of hard to pick which one [is a favorite production] because I just like to do it,” Zurawski said.
Theater not only seems to be part of Zurawski’s past, but his future as well. “I want to continue acting, that’s something I would love to do,” he said. Currently, he is considering studying for a semester abroad in Chicago.
After graduating in 2012, his plan is to start auditioning for shows in the Philadelphia area. Regarding Chicago, Zurawski would love to go out to Second City Improv Troupe, home of comedic giants such as Mike Myers and Chris Farley.
Zurawski, however, is unsure of where his inspiration comes from. “I guess it’s just my love for acting. Like I think it’s weird to say ‘Oh, I have a love for acting ‘cause love’s a word I don’t really like to use that much but I love it, it’s absolutely amazing,” he said.
This weekend, Zurawski will be playing Argan, the protagonist in “The Imaginary Invalid,” directed by Professors Jason Rubin and Polly Sommerfeld. “The Imaginary Invalid” is a snapping, satiric glimpse of health care and questions if “doctors really do know best.” Argan is a neurotic nobleman who invents illnesses and insists on having a physician in the family to meet his needs.
“I guess the character’s more multifaceted in that it shows I can be whiny, I can be serious, I can be five years old on-stage,” Zurawski said. “I just want people to enjoy the show overall because it has the potential to be an amazing show. It’s actually one of the most difficult roles I’ve been put in, it’s definitely been a challenge but I think it’s going to be well worth it.”