Michelle Krusiec

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Do you recognize this Hokie? Michelle Krusiec started her acting training at the Virginia Governor's Magnet School for the Arts and received a Theatre and English Degree from our very own Virginia Tech. She completed additional studies at the University of Oxford, and then went on to host two seasons of Travelers for the Discovery Channel. Within several months of completing Travelers, Krusiec was cast as a series regular on NBC's Saturday morning series One World in which she played the sporty, yet sometimes "spacey" Sui Blake. Since then, Krusiec has left an indelible mark playing an incredibly diverse range of roles with both recurring and starring roles on such hit shows as Cold Case, Without a Trace, Monk, and E.R.

As the recurring character, "Sachiko," on HBO's dark comedy The Mind of the Married Man, Krusiec permanently introduced into the American lexicon the now infamous term "Happy Ending." May 2005 revealed Michelle's most recent film work, starring as the lead opposite Joan Chen in the romantic comedy, Saving Face. Will Smith's first producing foray into independent features, Saving Face premiered at the recent Toronto Film Festival. Krusiec's other film credits include Sweet Home Alabama, Daddy Day Care, Duplex, Pumpkin (2002 Sundance) and the yet to be released Cursed.

Well versed as a stage actress, Made in Taiwan is Krusiec's autobiographic depiction of living under the regime of an oppressive and ridiculously intense Mom. After an arduous development process at the highly respected Larry Moss studio, this original one-woman show premiered to sold-out houses and standing ovations at the prestigious HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Krusiec was hailed as one of the top ten performers at the festival and earned her top recognition and praise in both Variety Magazine and the Hollywood Reporter. She also conducted acting workshops during 2005 ArtsFusion, a weeklong celebration of the arts on the Virginia Tech campus and in the Blacksburg community in April. The overarching goal for ArtsFusion is to provide an opportunity for the campus and community to come together through a celebration of the arts. Details on this Hokie's career can be found at www.michellekrusiec.com.

Alma Mater: You traveled back to Blacksburg to participate in an acting workshop during the 2005 ArtsFusion. What were some key points you gave the workshop participants?

Krusiec: Some key points include reminding oneself of one's artistic goals so that they can be integrated with work or for most actors - seeking employment and learning how to look at a script and understand how to break it down to its simplest form.

Alma Mater: What has been the most rewarding part of your acting career and your favorite role?

Krusiec: Seeing Saving Face in movie theaters and having it receive the reviews and the audience reaction it ultimately garnered thoughout both the United States and abroad. My favorite role was probably the roles I created in my own show, Made in Taiwan Taiwan. I wrote them - so of course I have personal affection for them.

Alma Mater: How did your time with the Virginia Tech Theatre Department help prepare you for your career?

Krusiec: Virginia Tech's Theatre Department gave me a strong foundation and a theatre discipline, which helps me with my work ethic. It's too easy to sit back and wait for "something to happen." I'm much more proactive than most actors and I think it comes from the theatre.

Alma Mater: What upcoming roles do you have planned?

Krusiec: I was just in a CBS Christmas fi lm with Mary Tyler Moore called "Snow Wonder".

Alma Mater: Do you have specifi c advice for your fellow Hokies who would like to have a successful acting career?

Krusiec: Do it if it is the only thing you can imagine yourself doing. It is one of the toughest things to pursue and perhaps one of the most rewarding. Knowing yourself will be one of the best tools because you will constantly be challenged, and be sure that you are of strong character and mind.