Meet Michael David Wilson, playing Godfrey Norton in “Sherlock Holmes”

Q: Where did you grow up? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?
A: I am a Charleston native; born and raised. When I was a child, my father didn’t believe in video games and electric scooters so much as he did in books and what he coined as pedal power. So, I found myself having to rely on my mind to fuel my entertainment. It developed my imagination and subsequently I was very good at playing pretend. When I was 8 and found out there was an actual job for pretenders called acting, I became bent on turning my love of stories into a life long career.

Q: Where did you study theatre?
A: I took a class while I was attending James Island Charter but there were hardly any acting opportunities available. A little nudge came from my mom, and I auditioned for the Charleston School of the Arts my sophomore year. I was admitted and spent the last two years of my high school career studying theatre everyday.

Q: Where have you worked previously? What are some of your favorite roles?
A: My professional theatre experience is limited to Charleston Stage at the moment, however, I have performed in numerous productions with schools and youth group drama troupes. Over the past year I have been co-developing films to be shot in Charleston prior to my departure for the big city. To answer the latter, I’d have to say Hamlet and Robert Renfield top the list right now. They were the biggest challenges I’ve had to face so far. I learned a lot from the countless hours I spent pouring myself into the work.
Q: How did you prepare for playing your roles in Sherlock Holmes? Were there any challenges or things that you were excited about with taking on these characters?
A: I went ahead and re-familiarized myself with the world by reading the story our play is based off of and watching various Sherlock productions. From the beginning, Julian told us he wanted to take these well known characters and stories and make them our own. It was easier for me, Im sure, than other certain cast members since Godfrey is only briefly described by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Steven Dietz, the playwright, took Godfrey elaborated and put his own very clever twist on him. That being said, he is an almost entirely original character with this clearly fleshing him out. As far as the challenges, I had to find a way to properly channel a man who is at a very different point in his life than I am in mine. I’m still a young man. I’ve been taught it’s important to play every character with truth, so I had to identify what likened me to this character early on so I could develop him to the best of my ability.

Q: What do you look forward to each performance playing your roles in Sherlock Holmes? What are you most excited audiences will take away from this production?
A: Im looking forward to sharing the stage with a group of very talented people. I hope we are able to give the audience an escape from their everyday 2013 routines and bring (most of) them back to a world that has excited and captivated since its inception.

Q: Please share with us your thoughts and experience with working with Charleston Stage at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.
A: I feel blessed to have been able to have my professional stage debut and continually perform at the Dock Street. It is an extremely beautiful venue. I thank Charleston Stage for that and for the opportunities it has given me as I have learned much and gained many new friends from its shows.
From left to right: Charleston Veteran Actors Patrick Arnheim as Father, Michael David Wilson as Godfrey Norton and Charleston Stage Professional Resident Actor Katrin Murdock as Irene Adler.
Charleston Veteran Actor Michael David Wilson as Godfrey Norton.
Charleston Veteran Actor Michael David Wilson as James Larabee and Charleston Stage Professional Resident Actor Katrin Murdock as Irene Adler.