‘Extant’ Creator Supporting Wagon Wheel
WARSAW — After sixty years of theatre, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts alumni include multiple Tony Award-winners, film credits, starring television roles and the creator of CBS’ “Extant,” starring Halle Berry.
Mickey Fisher, who partnered with Steven Spielberg on the two-season sci-fi drama, debuted at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in 1995 as “Old Joe” in “Damn Yankees.” The Wagon Wheel held theatrical auditions at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where Fisher was a senior in the fine arts program. Former Wagon Wheel Theatre Artistic Director Tom Roland cast Mickey for the summer.
Over the next sixteen years he made appearances as an actor and director. While there was no denying Fisher’s ability on the stage, his passion for writing would prove even greater than his talent as a performer.
In “Extant,” which ran for two seasons from 2014-2015, Halle Berry plays an astronaut struggling with her return home after mysteriously becoming pregnant during her mission. The show was well-received by critics, garnering positive reviews and winning the Critic’s Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series in 2014.
Fisher has been an invaluable supporter and partner of Wagon Wheel Jr. since its inception, but was also instrumental in its beginning. The idea began in 1996 when Fisher approached then Artistic Director Roy Hine. According to Fisher, “I saw that there really wasn’t anything going on like that at the time and I pitched the idea to Roy as a way to make a little bit of extra money, but it was bigger than I expected it to be. The kids were really talented.”
Despite moving to Los Angeles and becoming involved in television and film productions, Fisher continues to support Wagon Wheel Jr. with generous sponsorships. “Mickey is incredibly talented, and we are just thankful to him for sponsoring shows like “You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Werewolf” and the program that really, he started,” Executive Director Will Dawson said.