Since relocating from Shanghai to Wiesbaden, Germany, Michael Robinson has embraced his creative side – performing in local theatre productions, taking to open mic nights, and honing his songwriting craft.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
– Maya Angelou
Good vibrations
The last time we caught up with Mike, he had just completed a songwriting workshop with support from the expatriating company. He was then invited to perform the song he’d worked on at a show in Glasgow with some of the other songwriters. “It was a great night. A young bloke – probably not even born when I wrote the song 20 years ago – came up to me and said: ‘That song really hit me! Where can I get it?’” says Mike. “That moment stuck with me – I’d love to get some songs onto a platform like BandCamp. It’s definitely on the to-do list!”
Plot twist
Mike has also continued to get involved with Wiesbaden Performing Arts Center (WPAC), a local community theatre. After acting in two productions in 2024, a new opportunity emerged. “When we sat down to talk about a new production, a play called The Jag, the director of the last few plays said: ‘Why don’t I act and you direct this one?’ It made more sense – he was the right age for the character and had the right American accent. So, I found myself in the director’s chair.”
Behind the curtain
“Directing a play was much more intense. As an actor, you drop in and out of rehearsals. It’s easier to manage your time and do other things. But as a director, you’re there for every moment, shaping the rhythm, the energy, making sure each scene hits the right notes.” The intensity of the process for Mike, however, was matched by the satisfaction of seeing it all come together on stage. “We did six shows and honestly it gave me goosebumps every time.”
Finding his tribe
“As a newcomer to Wiesbaden, amateur theatre and live music have definitely helped me to meet like-minded people and feel like I’m part of a community. And when I put myself out there creatively, I find one thing leads to another,” says Mike, who also teaches linocut printing at a local Volkshochschule and drama at a secondary school. “In fact, an Indian woman from the theatre group recently asked me if I would be the opening act for a sitar player who is coming to do a show here. As you know, my answer is always, ‘well, why not?’”
Photo: Mike (top) directing The Jag
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