Musical theater actor and Stanford alum Michael K. Lee to speak at CEAS/EALC departmental commencement ceremony

The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) and the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC) are thrilled to announce that international musical theater actor, singer, writer, producer, and Stanford University alum Michael K. Lee will deliver the keynote at the CEAS and EALC joint Departmental Commencement Ceremony on June 15, 2025.

To date, Michael has appeared in over 40 international stage productions, numerous films and television shows, and countless concerts all over the world. Upon graduating from Stanford University, Michael made his Broadway debut as the character “Thuy” in Miss Saigon. He has also appeared on Broadway as Simon Zealotes in Jesus Christ Superstar, Kayama Yosaemon in Pacific Overtures, and Frankie Suzuki in Allegiance, a role for which he received the Craig Noel Award during the show’s pre-Broadway tryout in San Diego.

In 2006 Michael made his Korean stage debut in Miss Saigon at the Sejong Performing Arts Center in Seoul, originating the role of “Chris” for the Korean premiere. After returning to Korea to reprise the role three more times, Michael then appeared in the title role of Jesus Christ Superstar, a role that earned him national acclaim. He has since gone on to star in several other Korean musical productions including Notre Dame de Paris, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Seopyonjae, Napoleon, Le Passe-Muraille (Amour), The Rocky Horror Show, Something Rotten!, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Next to Normal.

In 2016 and 2017 Michael appeared as a judge on the hit singing reality competition TV series Phantom Singer. Other notable television credits include The King of Mask Singer, Double Casting, Immortal Songs, and Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey. Currently, he is shooting Season 3 of the popular hit Netflix Television series XO, Kitty as “Professor Lee.”