Mikael Burke directs the musical Milo Imagines the World

Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson (Editor) @iamcomprehend

Chicago-based director Mikael Burke, is a Princess Grace and Jeff Award-winning director. He is directing the musical show Milo Imagines the World, premiering at the Children’s Theatre Company. The show is based on the book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson and is suitable for all ages.

Mikael Burke holds an M.F.A. from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Some of his credits include Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), The Salvagers (Yale Repertory Theatre), and Tambo & Bones (Refracted Theatre Company).

I, Consciousness Magazine, had the opportunity to speak to the talented director of Milo Imagines the World, which will run until March 9, 2025 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Burke’s  also shares with us about the story of the musical, the amazing cast that he works with to make this show come to life, and much more.

Aaron Robinson: You have a musical titled Milo Imagines the World that will be running soon at Children’s Theatre Company on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Can you share with us a little about that production that you’ve directed?

Mikael Burke: Yeah, absolutely. So, Milo Imagines the World, it’s a new musical. It's based on a picture book by Matt de la Peña, with illustrations by Christian Robinson. The book is by Terry Guest, with music and composition by Christian Magby and Christian Albright. It’s a really dynamic team of amazing human beings that are making this thing happen. The story of the musical follows a boy named Milo, who is 7-years old, and he and his teenage sister are taking a subway ride through New York City on their way to visit their mom, who is currently incarcerated. They are on their journey to meet their mom. Along the way, Milo likes to pass his time by people watching.

He’ll look at somebody and he'll see what they're wearing, or he'll see what their face is doing, and he'll sort of go… I know what their life is; I know what they're like. And then he starts to draw and he imagines what these people's lives might be like beyond the confines of this train.

And for each person that Milo sees on the train, he dives into a different world, and there's a different kind of musical number and musical style that happens for each one of those. As he visits more and more people, this question starts to needle at Milo about life. That sort of sets us up with this question of am I assuming something about someone? Then, he finally meets mom, who's incarcerated. She comes out in the orange jumpsuit. It’s a really awesome journey for young people to sort of learn what it means to make an assumption about someone and then discover how to not do that, of just passing judgment. That's sort of the message.

Aaron Robinson: Nice! You have a number of directing credits including Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet, The Salvagers, and Tambo & Bones just to name a few. When it comes to directing, what has this journey been like for you working with an amazing cast?

Mikael Burke: It's always a good time getting to work in a production. This is my first time working here at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. It's one of my favorite things – to come to a new location and meet a wealth of new artists and collaborators. The work is so fun, and it really is sort of inviting everyone to bring their most imaginative and creative self forward as we figure out how to bring this big wild musical to its most exciting and thrilling life. There's a lot of moving parts to this play. There are a lot of pieces, but I'm surrounded by just spectacular people on stage and off stage.

Aaron Robinson: I know a lot of work goes into the production of putting together a musical theatrical. What is that like for you after you and your crew performs a successful show?

Mikael Burke: Truly my favorite, favorite thing you know, the way that I really know that we've succeeded at what we're doing, because every play is different and they require different things, they look different, they feel different and the audience's response is going to be very different each time.

It's that thing of where we spend all of this time and energy and resources taking a bunch of things that are practical and tangible, but ultimately smashing it all together and putting it in front of people and saying, okay, audience, now it's your turn. Believe that this is real. You know, play with us, imagine with us. And when they do, when they're listening, when they're on the ride, it's great. Nothing is better.

Aaron Robinson: What words of encouragement would you share with those individuals, aspiring directors, those who are looking to be successful as a director in theater? What would you share with them so they can continue to be inspired?

Mikael Burke: You just got to go for it. If you're waiting for permission, that permission is never going to come. You just got to step out on faith and give it a shot. And just make what you can and how you can with who you can and don't wait for someone to tell you that you can. Just do it and keep doing it. And in that way, you start to learn what attracts you - what do you like, what do you not like. What gets you excited to keep doing this thing? If you build it, they will come. But if you wait till someone says build this thing; they're not coming to you.

Aaron Robinson: Those are some great words of encouragement! You are a native of Chicago. Do you still come back to Chicago and work on projects?

Mikael Burke: Yeah, yeah, I do. I'm based in Chicago right now. I was born in Chicago. I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee for most of my schooling years. And then I moved back to Chicago in 2015 for graduate school. But currently, I’m still based there. When I'm in town working, I’ll spend about 6 months out of the year in Chicago and out of town working the other 6 months out of the year. I kind of go back and forth.

Aaron Robinson: Would you like to add anything before we conclude the interview that we haven't shared or that you would like to talk about?

Mikael Burke: Oh, I mean, I think the only other thing I want to say is for folks that are excited to come and check out Milo Imagines the World is just that the show is fun and delightful and surprising and also very moving. It has something for everyone. It's got stuff for the younger kids. It's got stuff for the older kids, and it's definitely got stuff for the adults in the audience too. It's a full family affair and such a good time. So, come check us out.

Tickets for Milo Imagines the World can be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/milo or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400.

To follow Mikael Burke please visit https://mklburke.com/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mklburke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mklburke