Michael Arve

The Director of Development for the Greater Rochester Repertory Company (GRRC) is for from the Atypical@ pencil pushing office worker. He is a 60 year old openly gay man who could compete for with much of Hollywood and Broadway for the number of productions that he has participated in. Michael Helesfai Arve is leaving his mark at GRRC in the same way he has lived his life; by sharing his talents and love for the theatre.

Michael was destined to leave a mark in the world. The enemy was dropping bombs on the hospital at the same moment his mother was giving birth to her youngest son. Michael was born in Budapest, Hungary on June 27, 1943. His father B one of the top pilots in the Hungarian Air Force - knew that time was running out for his family. They would not be able to stay in Hungry once the war ended. While Michael was still an infant the family walked from Budapest to West Berlin, Germany. His mother collapsed within feet of the east/west border. It is in Berlin that Michael made his first of may appearances in a play. At age 5 he played a part in Herr Pupendoktor as a part of a professional children=s theatre. Michael never received formal training in the theatre, but credits his abilities to his parents. His father played the violin and was an Olympian in the 1936 Olympics as a fencer and gymnast. His mother had trained for the Budapest Opera.

Thanks to a relative, Michael and his family came to Rochester in 1951. He continued acting in school. In 1958 Michael joined the Rochester Community Playhouse. He has performed with the Blackfriars, Rochester Community Players, Center Stage, Cobblestone Arts Center, Irondequoit Community Theatre, Penfield Players, Brighton Showcase Productions, Bijou Theatre (Knoxville, Tennessee), Oak Ridge Playhouse (Oak Ridge, Tennessee), Morristown Theatre Guild (Morriston, Tennessee), Salt City Players (Syracuse), and the Auurn Community Theatre (Auburn). Michael has also performed in Seattle, Toronto, Nashville, and numerous other venues. He continues to participate in an average of four productions each year; whether it be as an actor, director, or stage manager.

Arve=s talents are not limited to onstage performances. He has created or helped to create many theatre groups in and out of Rochester. Michael has also written plays and musicals. The musical production Empty Chairs B Empty Tables (a musical about how HIV/AIDS has affected people=s lives) was an award winning production. Arve=s original production Johnny Roma presents the Starlettes will be presented by the Greater Rochester Repertory Company later this year. To date Arve has acted in over 50 plays, directed over 75 productions, and has been the stage manager for over 40 productions. He has also taught numerous classes and workshops. Arve will be teaching a workshop starting in September for people who want to improve their audition skills.

Arve says that his family was supportive of his work. His parents have passed on, but Michael has fond memories. Michael recall the first time his mother met his (now ex-) partner Dennis. His mother was dressed in evening wear when she knocked on the door. She placed her foot on the doorstep exposing her let through a split skirt. When Dennis came to the door Michael=s mother says, AI=m the mother-in-law; isn=t it time we met?@ At that point any anxieties were gone.

Michael says that he knew he was gay from about age six. When he told his mother she was very upset at first. His father; on the other hand, stated that he had always known. Arve has been married and divorced twice. He @admires and adores women.@ Arve states that he is comfortable with who he is and that being gay has never been an issue with him. He has never experienced discrimination for being gay. At 60 he feels that he is being discriminated for his age and not being judged on his talents. Arve believes that being gay is not about sex. Instead it is about being spiritually and emotionally complete. He loathes and abhors non-monogamous relationships. It is for this reason that he does not frequent bars. He has even been accused of being homophobic.

Arve did not become an activist until later in life when he saw that there was a need. While working at AIDS Response Knoxville Arve became certified as an AIDS prevention educator. He has used his plays as a tool for education and awareness. Arve is comfortable with who he is and says that the queer community is hurting itself by not interacting more and feeling comfortable with themselves no matter where they are.

Arve is thousands of miles from his native home but he is happy in his adopted home B Arve became an American citizen in 1963. He is also at home sharing his talents with the Greater Rochester Repertory Company.