San Diego Junior Theatre Alumni

Michael Hoffer

Michael Hoffer Mike was born in a USMC Hospital in Quantico, Virginia just south of Washington D.C. His theatrical career began at the early age of 6 when his Mom took him to an audition for the very young role of Peter in MOTHER CAREY‘S CHICKENS-the Senior Play for Tustin Senior High School, he got the part and had to learn all of his lines by memory as he couldn’t yet read! San Diego’s Junior Theatre beckoned and he did it all; acting in many plays among them; THE GREAT BIG DOORSTEP with the late Victor Buono as his Father, CARRIBBEAN HOLIDAY with Raquel Tejada Welch, ROBIN HOOD, A DRAGON, HERO & A KING, ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES. Musical Director/Composer/Pianist for; THE WIZARD OF OZ, LOVE RIDES THE RAILS-OLIO, & MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. He held the title of President of SDJT’s Board of Governors and served on that Board. At The Balboa Bowl SummerTeenage Operettas, under the direction of Maria Fielding and Don Ward, he appeared in THE GOLDEN TRAIL (Tad) & THE GIPSY BARON (Otto). Reluctantly at age 18 he left SDJT for college at SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY and majored in Theatre Arts. He was President of the SAN DIEGO STATE MUSICAL COMEDY GUILD and acted in their productions of THE BOYFIREND (Bobby Van Heusen), ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (Wizard) and GOLDILOCKS (George Randolph Brown). He appeared in several SDSU roles; LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE (Billy Jester), MADWOMAN OF CHAILOT (Dr. Jardin), THE AMERICAN DREAM (Young Man). In his SDSU Senior year he was awarded; THE OUTSTANDING THEATRE ARTS STUDENT AWARD. Locally he also appeared at THE OLD GLOBE as Emmett in TAKE HER SHE’S MINE and garnered a nomination for THE ATLAS AWARD for BEST SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTOR. At STAR-LIGHT OPERA he performed in many shows from THE RED MILL to DESTRY RIDES AGAIN, the highlight being Hugo in BYE-BYE BIRDIE. Moving to Hollywood and with a friends connection got an audition for influential Casting Director Ruth Birch, casting him in several GOMER PYLES-which made his USMC Dad very proud! Television shows; THAT GIRL (Jimmy) with Marlo Thomas, MANNIX, GENERAL HOSPITAL, Commercials, and Industrial films followed. Hollywood theatrical jobs; THE WEB & THE ROCK- A Paul Gregory Production, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (Prince Dauntless), THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL (Sheriff Sam Staples). Summer Stock at Berkeley’s Melodyland Theatre; singing in the Chorus and working with Ginger Rogers in THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, THE MUSIC MAN with Van Johnson, BELLS ARE RINGING -Anne Jeffreys, SOUTH PACIFIC with Janet Blair, and SHOWBOAT. The lure of a “frequent pay check” landed him at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD first as a Tour Guide and eventually as Director of Entertainment. ABC-TV was his next assignment as Co-ordinating Producer for Special Projects for the network’s Entertainment Division. Working with a gamut of celebrities; Elizabeth Taylor, Regis Philbin, Princess Diana, Howard Cossell, Ann-Margaret, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, Michael Feinstein, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, President Bill Clinton, Shirley Jones, Eva Gabor, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Gwen Verdon, Warren Beatty, Merv Griffin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Yvonne DeCarlo, and even Zsa Zsa Gabor! Hoffer along with Producers Donald Colhour and Vince Maynard founded HMC Entertainment which produced documentaries, and Specials among them; THE GEORGE GERSHWIN MEMORIAL CONCERTS on the 50th Anniversary of Gershwin’s passing, at the Hollywood Bowl. Mike’s last time “on the boards”; 42ND STREET (Abner Dillon) in “believe it or not” Kirkcaldy, Scotland at the ADAM SMITH THEATRE. Recent projects involve creating and managing Theatre and Opera tours to England, Ireland and Italy under his THEATOURS Company and PROTRAVEL INTERNATIONAL Living in the Hollywood Hills just a short distance from THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN and enjoying his life, companion, and friends. He has served on The Board of Trustees for First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and is now an Elder at Wilshire Christian Church. Another “hat” he wears is as Special Events Director for Wilshire Christian Church. Mike is a proud member of SCREEN ACTORS GUILD, ACTORS EQUITY and AFTRA. “SDJT was an invaluable asset to my career and I will always cherish my time there-not just for what I learned but for the friendships made there”. HAPPY 60th SAN DIEGO JUNIOR THEATRE!

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