Whether he is acting on the stage in New York City or on a television set in Los Angeles, Michael Gladis ‘99 carries his experiences from the New Paltz stage with him.

While at New Paltz, Michael was eager to learn about all areas within the acting profession. So, he not only took the basic acting courses in subjects like voice and tap dancing, but he also spent valuable time on the New Paltz stage in productions such as “Angels in America” and “Sweeney Todd.” It was this solid foundation that motivated Michael and nine other theatre arts students to put together a production called, “The America Project.” Within the production, each member of the group wrote a piece about the American dream that they then performed on stage. Michael’s role, both acting and learning about organizing the production, gave him even more insight into this demanding profession.

Following his graduation in 1999, Michael decided to spend the summer sharpening his skills with the New Paltz Summer Repertory Theatre before heading off to New York City. Once in the City, he landed the role of Mercutio in a national tour of the play “Romeo and Juliet,” which was followed by the role of Baal in Bertolt Brecht’s play of the same name.

His performance in “Baal” earned him the recognition of the industry and he was soon cast for a role on a submarine in Halifax, Nova Scotia, acting in “K-19: The Widowmaker” starring Harrison Ford. After that success, Michael returned to New York to resume the life of a working actor where he appeared on television shows “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Third Watch” and “Guiding Light.”

Michael then went to an audition for a television drama about the men and women working in a fictional New York City advertising company in the 1960s. He got a part playing the recurring role of Paul Kinsey on the American Movie Classics (AMC) television show, “Mad Men,” and began filming in late-April. The show premiered on July 19, 2007.

To prepare for his role on the television show, Michael said he read a lot about advertising and the aesthetics of the era, but it has been the cast, sets, hair, costumes and writing that truly transports him to the time period in which the show takes place.

Michael said that his preparation at New Paltz did a great deal in strengthening him for the last three labor-intensive years, and that he will continue to draw on that foundation throughout his career.