Karl Michael Maschek

Karl Maschek grew up in Chicago, IL. He began performing live as a gymnast and juggler in 1987 with Chicago's Triton Troupers Circus. In the summer of 1988, he contacted agent Ginny Long from Jefferson and Associates Talent Agency, and began his lifelong journey as an actor. He began working with legendary casting director, the late Cherie Mann and his very first auditions were for Disney's Dick Tracy, and The new Mickey Mouse Club. He booked several commercials, voice-overs and industrial films in the Chicago area. At the age of 14 he was cast in the Chicago premiere of Marsha Norman's Traveler in the Dark at Wisdom Bridge Theatre. The production was directed by the man who became Karl's mentor: actor, teacher, director and assistant to Sanford Meisner, the late Edward Kaye-Martin. Karl continued working in Chicago area theatre appearing as Arthur in King John at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; originating the role of Solly in the World Premier of Shelley Berman's First is Supper at The National Jewish Theatre, and also originating the role of Charlie in the World Premiere of Scott McPherson's Marvin's Room at The Goodman Theatre. Karl also re-created his role in the subsequent productions of Marvin's Room at The Hartford Stage Company, Playwrights Horizons, and an off-Broadway run at The Minetta Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village. In between productions of Marvin's Room, Karl toured nationally in Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby and Academy Award Winner J.K. Simmons. After living in New York City, and hoping to return, Karl ventured out to Los Angeles to appear as David opposite Ellen Greene in the west coast premier of Bob Randall's David's Mother at The Pasadena Playhouse and subsequent productions at The Poway Center for the Performing Arts and Santa Barbara's Lobero Theatre. He received rave reviews and was awarded a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Theatre Production for his performance. After working in television appearing in episodes of NBC's Saved By The Bell: The New Class and Running The Halls, Karl returned to the Midwest to earn his Bachelors Degree from Columbia College Chicago, and to study at Chicago's Second City and Improv Olympic. Following graduation, Karl resumed his career as an actor, playing The Ghost Of Christmas Past in the inaugural production of A Christmas Carol at the new Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Karl returned to Los Angeles where he appears in theatre and television shows, including an episode of Blue Collar TV, Padraic Duffy's Tell The Bees at Sacred Fools Theatre, All The Rage at The Attic Theatre, It's a Wonderful Life at Sierra Madre Playhouse, The Who's Tommy at Doma Theatre Company. Karl has also appeared in commercials for Comcast Xfinity Streampix, Smith and Forge Hard Cider; as Sugar Boy in All The King's Men at The El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood; he appeared on an episode of the TBS sitcom Men At Work entitled "The New Boss," once again having the privilege of working with Oscar winning actor J.K. Simmons, and as Bush in the American Premiere of RANK directed by Tony Award Nominee and Laurence Olivier Award Winner Wilson Milam. Most recently, Karl portrayed the ghost of Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol at The Sierra Madre Playhouse. Show less «