Michael Arden Reflects on Joy of Winning a Tony Alongside His High School Roommate

Michael Arden won his second Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical June 8, for his work on the Best musical nominee Maybe Happy Ending. In the press room, Arden reflected on his early life training at Interlochen Arts Academy, one of the premiere arts education boarding schools in the United States.

An '01 alumni, Arden had the following to say to the current cohort of students devoting themselves to the arts in the land of the stately pines, and to arts students across the country.

"Get ready for an incredible world ahead," Arden shared. "I work with, and know so many other Interlochen alums. I mean, my high school roommate from Interlochen just won a Tony tonight! We've dreamed of making work together since we were 16 years old, and now..." Arden looked around in wonderment, referring to his old roommate Dane Laffrey, whose scenic designs for Maybe Happy Ending won earlier this evening. "Cultivating relationships, finding your tribe of people and supporting them and lifting them up is the best way to lift yourself up... You never know who is going to come back into your life!"

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