Mike Faist

Mike Faist is an actor and alumnus of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has been a prominent figure in the theatre and film industry. His career began on Broadway, where he originated the role of Morris Delancey in Disney's "Newsies" and later portrayed Connor Murphy in the critically acclaimed musical "Dear Evan Hansen." His performance in "Dear Evan Hansen" earned him a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album and a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program. In addition, Faist received a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his performance.

In 2021, Faist made a successful transition to television, starring in the series "Panic." His film career also saw a significant boost when he undertook his first major film role as Riff in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. The role earned him a BAFTA nomination and universal praise from critics. His foray into film continued into 2023, where he took on the role of Jack Twist in a West End theatre production of "Brokeback Mountain" and later co-starred in the romantic sports film Challengers in 2024. He also made appearances in small independent films and television series such as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Beyond acting, Faist has been involved in various aspects of the entertainment industry. He voiced the audiobook version of Val Emmich's "Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel" and taught improv and acting exercises in a Broadway Musical Theatre Workshop. He also wrote short stories and helped establish a playwright's festival called the Ohio Artists Gathering. His diverse achievements have been recognized by multiple award organizations, including the Chicago Critics Association, the Phoenix Critics Circle, and the Greater WNY Film Critics Association.