T. Mychael Rambo
T. Mychael Rambo is a three-time Regional Emmy Award-winning actor, vocalist, arts educator, author, and community organizer who has made an indelible impact on the Twin Cities arts scene. He has performed principal roles at renowned theaters such as Penumbra Theatre, the Guthrie, New Dawn Theatre, the Ordway, Illusion Theatre, Mixed Blood, Park Square Theatre, 10,000 Things, Theater Latté Da, Children’s Theatre, and the Minnesota Opera.
His stage career extends beyond Minnesota to national and international venues, including Carnegie Hall and performances across Africa, Europe, and South America. On screen, he has appeared in both local and national television commercials, feature films, and HBO miniseries such as Laurel Avenue and Equinox. His film credits include The Cure, Justice, Crossing the Bridge, The Naked Man, and Woolly Boys. Most recently, he starred as St. Nick (Santa) in the Hallmark Channel’s Rescuing Christmas.
A dedicated arts educator, T. Mychael is an accomplished residency artist and an affiliate professor in the College of Liberal Arts, Theatre Arts & Dance at the University of Minnesota. As a recording artist, he has released two acclaimed albums: Simply—a collection of jazz standards—and The Gift: A Christmas With Love, featuring original and classic holiday songs. He had the distinguished honor of singing the National Anthem for both President Barack Obama and former President Jimmy Carter.
His literary work includes a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Resmaa Menakem on the children’s book The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands, a companion to Menakem’s acclaimed My Grandmother’s Hands. The book is now available both online and in bookstores nationwide. As a voice actor, T. Mychael recently narrated the audiobook Persephone, co-authored by Jeffrey Morris and Kevin J. Anderson (noted for Dune: Part One, Part Two, and Prophecy). He also voiced multiple characters, including a dog, in the PBS Kids podcast series Keyshawn Solves It, created and produced by Ed Jenkins.
T. Mychael’s contributions to the arts and education have earned him numerous accolades, including:
Sally Award for Arts Education (2010, presented by the Ordway Theatre)
Minnesota Black Music Award (2010)
Young Audience Artist of the Year
McKnight Theatre Artist Fellowship (1999 & 2023)
Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Fellowship
Bush Fellowship Finalist
University of Minnesota Century Council Community Award
Outstanding Community Service Award
As a sought-after public speaker, T. Mychael delivers motivational and thought-provoking presentations, blending storytelling, insightful observations, humor, and song. His clients include Best Buy, Target, Ameriprise, the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation, the Bush Foundation, the University of Minnesota, and other top philanthropic, academic, and corporate leaders.
Beyond his artistic work, T. Mychael is deeply committed to community service. He collaborates with organizations such as the African American AIDS Project, Peace House Foundation, Cultural Wellness Center, Arm in Arm in Africa, Way to Grow, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), Catholic Charities, Black Youth Healing Arts Center, and the Urban League. He lives by his great-aunt’s wisdom: “Service is the rent due for living on this planet.”
Viewing himself as a citizen of the planet, T. Mychael has dedicated his career to using theatre, performance art, spoken word, and music as tools for social change. He firmly believes that we are all powerful agents of transformation, each with the ability to shape the world through creativity, passion, and action.