Meet the Artists

Michael Joseph McQuilken

Stage Direction / Lighting Design

Michael Joseph McQuilken originally hails from Portland, Oregon, where he was raised in a working-class home by a health worker mother who was terrified that his artistic tendencies would leave him perpetually broke. These fears were not allayed when 20-something McQuilken became a professional street performer for three years, making music with garbage. Fortunately, he finagled a scholarship-fueled higher education, and now he is a (working) director, writer, filmmaker, and composer in New York. He holds degrees in directing and sound engineering. Recent collaborators include Drake, Migos, Cardi B, Nelly, The Flaming Lips, Du Yun, Daniil Trifonov, Lupita Nyong’o, and many others. McQuilken also serves as artistic director for Titus Kaphar’s film production company, Revolution Ready.