Michael Pawloski playing Pharoah in "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" at The Empty Space. Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Californian.

Cheers to the Bakersfield Californian for this article on Michael Pawloski, who mixes social work with theater work.

Pawloski is working toward a master’s degree in social work from California State University, Bakersfield. He is also  artistic director of the Late Night Show at The Empty Space, a live theater in Bakersfield. Pawloski, who works for the county, tries to incorporate his love for social work with theater.

The theater recently ran “Mr. Marmalade,” a play about domestic violence, and “Dear Harvey,” a biography of gay rights activist Harvey Milk. The theater donated $500 from “Dear Harvey” to a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organization.

“It’s changed the type of plays I do,”  Pawloski said of social work. “I used to do fluffy, silly kind of stuff; now I’m more into dark comedy. And I want to do plays that make people think, that educate people.”