Mike Faist

Born in Gahanna, Ohio, in 1992, Mike Faist is a Tony-nominated actor best known for performances in Dear Evan Hansen and West Side Story. Faist will make his West End debut in 2023 in the world premiere of Brokeback Mountain.

Growing up, Faist starred in local productions of The Wizard of Oz, Oliver!, and Alice in Wonderland. He then studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, but dropped out after a year to audition for Off-Broadway plays.

Faist’s big break came in 2011, originating the role of Morris Delancey in the world premiere of Newsies. He then transferred with the show to Broadway, understudying Jeremy Jordan in the role of Jack Kelly.

He then made his straight acting debut, cast in Appropriate at Pershing Square Signature Center. In a New York Theatre Guide review, “What is fascinating and brave about Mr. Jacobs-Jenkins' writing is that he is hauling old sins out into the light.He is an adventuresome chronicler. Bravo to that.” A year later, he appeared opposite Peter Dinklage and Taylor Schilling in a 2015 revival of A Month in the Country. In a New York Theatre Guide review, “There is something tragic and a little magical about this story.”

Faist then originated the role of Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen, playing the role from workshops to its Broadway premiere in 2016 — he picked up a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. In a New York Theatre Guide review, “Faist is flawless as he gives us the really hard to love boy teen narcissistic asshole who misdirects his passion against his own best interests. We know this kid, too. He's the one who didn't make it.”

He then played Spence in Days of Rage at Second Stage Theater: “it is delivered with such gusto and force that you are left asking for more. Days of Rage is as relevant today as it was in the times of Vietnam war, and that is its victory,” said New York Theatre Guide.

Faist’s no stranger to musical films either. He played Jets leader Riff in the Steven Spielberg film adaptation of West Side Story. For his performance, Faist received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He’s also appeared in The Unspeakable Act (2012,) Yellow (2015,) The Grief of Others (2015,) Deception (2018,) Wildling (2018), and Panic (2021.)

Mike Faist will make his West End debut in the world premiere of Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace. He’ll play Jack Twist alongside Lucas Hedges as Ennis del Mar.