Mikey Silas

CHICAGO / CLEVELAND

SILAS MICHAEL REX is a MIXED MEDIA ARTIST.
ACTOR. SINGER/songwriter.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.
TAROT/ASTROLOGY READER.

B.A., Theater, from Columbia College
In a 12 year career in the theater as an ACTOR/SINGER/DANCER I created and worked primarily with the groups THE NEW COLONY, BAILIWICK REPERTORY, THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE, LIGHT OPERA WORKS. THE INCONVENIENCE, BAILWICK CHICAGO, BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATRE & THEATRE BUILDING CHICAGO (tbc!). In Management, Working for Broadway In Chicago (For-Profit Commercial Theatre Sales/Subscription Manager), Bailwick Chicago (Managing Director, Business Development) and Lookingglass Theatre (Group Sales Marketing/Box Office Assoc.). Working with a legendary community and legends, like Dennis DeYoung, Sheldon Patinkin, Bill Williams, Tom Mula, David Zak and Jackie Taylor. Current projects I have been cast in but are waiting production are two (2) filming projects, a short indie film and a streaming series.

As a visual artist, I just started working on art more consistently in 2014. I have in the short amount of time, sold many mixed media pieces. I create pieces on recycled surfaces using materials that are reused, rescued or random. I have work hanging in two galleries in Chicago and a mini mural I did off the Oak Park Green Line (2016). I am a self taught artist and color blind. Currently, I am creating in my home studio in Cleveland where I am focusing heavily on music.

Music is my first love but my latest passion, self taught on both piano and guitar. My SOLO-sets have been featured on stages from Chicago to Cleveland to Charleston, SC. Have an EP in the works and a couple of my songs up on Soundcloud, more coming very soon. I curated and formed ongoing community events such as DIY Shows (The Cave Live, Cleveland OH), open mics, music communal, Pop-Up concerts as fundraisers for friends and the developing Creative Warriors Project. CRP went up at Strawdog Theatre in Chicago, featuring a range of performance art, live painting and astrology readings. In 2015, I also conceived & produced Pride Idol in 2015.

In in the community arena I continued the Windy City Gay Idol tradition by launching Pride Idol in 2015. With the support of The Glenwood owner Colm Treacy, was able to bring in amazing talent and champion an inclusive community at the heart of Rogers Park. I hosted the expanded competition over 12 weeks leading to a finale during Pride North. Accomplished judges included Lucy Stoole, Sheryl Swoopes (WNBA), Christopher Pazdernik & Alma Mendoza. Artists like Akenya, Abraham Mellish, 1-9, OG Onyema Grace, Adam Gottlieb & One Love, Rolo Rodriguez, Moe, Johanna Moffitt, Vasily Deris, Sophie Grimm, Sara Kopp, Adrian Reyes, Moe, Quinn Michael, Matt Foster, Kate Emerson, Peter Hendryx, Abijeet and so many more... Dudes. It was lit.

Have also been a Volunteer Creative Writing tutor for the Jane Addams Resource Corp and toddler jams and art classes in the park for kids.