From South Phoenix to the Spotlight: Michael Thompson as Donkey in Shrek the Musical

From South Phoenix to the Spotlight: Michael Thompson as Donkey in Shrek the Musical

For Michael Thompson, the power of theatre lies in its ability to create belonging for both the actors on stage and the audiences who see themselves reflected there. After touring internationally with Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol Live: Heroes Unite, the Phoenix native is returning to the Valley to play the iconic character Donkey from the animated film Shrek, who coincidentally shares his message of staying true to who you are.

His path to the spotlight started at South Mountain High School.

Thompson preferred life backstage as a lighting designer when his drama teacher encouraged him to audition for his school’s production of Cinderella. She saw something in him and knew he belonged in the light, not behind it. 

Once he experienced being on stage for the first time, everything changed. 

That first performance sparked more than a career—it sparked a commitment to authenticity. From the beginning, Thompson decided he would bring himself to every role, rather than letting a role define him.

In 2023, Thompson toured the US and Canada as Marshall in Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol Live: Heroes Unite. As an original cast member, Thompson helped develop the performance and was required to wear a 40-pound dog puppet that was harnessed to his waist. The physical demands required breathwork and stamina, but what resonated most for him were the children in the audience whom he met in communities both big and small. “I love working with kids, because they still have a sense of wonder—and they’re honest.” 

During meet-and-greets after performances, youth audience members searched for points of connection. “They’ll ask you how old you are, because you’re playing this goofy character on stage. They’re looking for that thing to relate to you.”

Thompson is often drawn to roles made for younger audiences. For him, these roles mean more than playing a part. “If [kids] can see a little piece of themselves in me, then I want to be a source of hope and inspiration to them.” 

Seeing performers who looked like him was inspiring for Thompson himself. “Watching Angela Bassett and Denzel Washington and all these people who look like me on screen drew me in,” he said. 

When he was 16, Thompson saw his first Broadway performance of Hairspray in New York, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in his acting career. The diversity on that stage proved to him that theatre could reflect the real world, and that there was room for him in it.

But growing up, Thompson noticed he was often a minority in many spaces. Instead of allowing himself to be defined by stereotypes, he made a deliberate choice. 

“Because I’ve never put myself in a box, I’ve been able to portray a wide array of characters.”

The ASU alum graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre in 2010 and has been performing professionally ever since, with select credits including Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), Reuben/Potiphar (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Franklin/Mr. Venus (Passing Strange), and Balaga (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812).

Now, Thompson steps into some very large hooves. 

From March 13-15, he plays Donkey in the Showtune Productions’ Shrek the Musical at Chandler Center for the Arts. For many audiences, Donkey is synonymous with Eddie Murphy’s iconic voice. 

“I used to do Eddie Murphy impressions all the time, because he’s one of my favorite actors.” Thompson will be paying homage to one of his favorite actors, but he’s making Donkey his own.

This is a dream role, shared Thompson, who has auditioned for Donkey three times prior to this production. “Donkey is a friend through and through. Whatever everybody else sees, I see my friend for who they are. That’s how I connect with Donkey most.”

In many ways, that philosophy has guided Thompson’s entire career: see people fully, refuse to shrink yourself, and make space for others to do the same.

Audiences will see that authenticity on stage.

See Michael Thompson as Donkey in Shrek the Musical at Chandler Center for the Arts from March 13-15. Tickets are on sale starting at $44, with a youth ticket option available at $19, making this a family experience that celebrates laughter, heart, and the freedom to be exactly who you are.

Tickets are available online at chandlercenter.org/events/shrek-musical.