Formerly the world’s worst auditioner, Michael Kostroff is now an established working actor best known for his five seasons as gang attorney Maury Levy on HBO’s legendary series, The Wire, and for his dozens of other television appearances, including  recurring roles on Billions, Law & Order: SVU, The Blacklist, Animal Kingdom, 911: Lone Star. His HBO projects have included The Plot Against America, The Deuce, and the role of Peter Madoff opposite Robert De Niro in Wizard of Lies.

 

He understudied the Tony Award-winning role of Max Bialystock on the first national tour of The Producers, originated the role of Thénardier for the 25th anniversary US tour of Les Misérables, and stood by on Broadway in The Nance. Regional engagements have taken him to Goodspeed, Paper Mill, Flat Rock, Theatre Aspen, Musical Theatre West, Olney Theatre, and more.

 

A former advice columnist for Backstage, Kostroff is also a director, audition coach, and frequent guest instructor at colleges, universities, and drama schools. He’s the author of

 Letters from Backstage, Answers from "The Working Actor", Audition Psych 101.and The Stage Actor's Handbook: Traditions, Protocols, and Etiquette for the Working and Aspiring Professional.

 

Meanwhile . . . he continues to audition.