Biography

Michael McElroy, Professor and Coordinator of Musical Theatre. From 2021-2023, Michael served as the Arthur and Martha Hearron Endowed Professor of Musical Theatre and chair of the Department of Musical Theatre in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance at University of Michigan.  From 2010-2021 Michael, was head of vocal performance in the New Studio on Broadway and director or diversity initiatives at NYU/Tisch Undergraduate Drama.  As a performer, his Broadway credits include: Sunday in the Park with George (2017 revival), Next To Normal, Rent (Closing Cast), The Wild Party, Big River (Tony Nomination Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Drama Desk Nomination for Leading Actor in a Musical), The Who's Tommy, Miss Saigon, Patti LuPone on Broadway, and High Roller Social Pleasure Club. As an arranger, Broadway credits include: Disaster!(vocal arranger) and Street Corner Symphony (vocal arranger). Other performances include New York Philharmonic: Candide. National Tour:  Next to Normal, Rent, Big River Sarafina.  Off-Broadway:  Some Men by Terrance McNally (Second Stage Theater), Blue (Roundabout Theatre), Violet (Original Cast, Playwrights Horizons, Drama Desk Nomination), Thunder Knocking on the Door (Minetta Lane), Richard III(NYSF starring Denzel Washington).  Michael is the Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Broadway Inspirational Voices.  He received a Grammy nomination in 2005 for his arrangement of Joy to The World on BIV’s first holiday CD: Great Joy! A Gospel Christmas.  He, along with writing partner Joseph Joubert followed up with Great Joy II: Around the World.  Michael's original works and arrangements have been performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and in churches and concert halls internationally.  In 2021, Michael was one of four artists to serve as artist in residence at Little Island in its inaugural year. Michael serves on the board of YoungArts, and is a founding member of Black Theatre United where he currently serves as Vice President.  He is a proud member of the membership committee in the Recording Academy as well as on the Musical Theatre Task Force.  A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Michael is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University where he received the 2020 Alumni Achievement Award.  Other honors include the MLK Spirit Award (University of Michigan), Dr. Martin Luther King Faculty Award (New York University) and two Tony Award Honors for Excellence in Theatre (Big River 2004, Broadway Inspirational Voices 2019)