Michael Bakkensen

Michael Bakkensen serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre & Dance at Lehman College, City University of New York. A professional actor with over two decades of union membership, he maintains an active dual career in academia and performance.

His educational credentials include:

• B.A. from Yale University
• M.F.A. from the University of California, San Diego

Professor Bakkensen's artistic practice spans classical and contemporary theatre, with significant contributions to Broadway (including Noises Off and The Man Who Came to Dinner), Off-Broadway, and 15+ major regional theaters nationwide. His interdisciplinary work connects theatrical performance with digital media production, music composition, and narrative arts—evidenced by his Lehman College production of Polaroid Stories and three original music albums.

His distinguished performance career has earned recognition through:

• IRNE Award for Best Actor in Ether Dome
• Earphone Award for audiobook narration

While specific graduate student mentorship isn't documented, Professor Bakkensen actively guides undergraduate performers through classroom instruction and production work at Lehman College. His industry partnerships with institutions like the Guthrie Theater and Mark Taper Forum provide students with professional networking opportunities. No research grants are mentioned in the source material.