Becoming the Hat Matter: Sir Michael Wayne Turner III on Poetry, Theater & Legacy | A.R.T. Ep. 19

In this episode of A Regular Thing (A.R.T.), we sit down with the electrifying multi-hyphenate artist Sir Michael Wayne Turner III. From his poetic roots at Brave New Voices to powerful one-man shows like Hat Matter and Ghost of King, Michael takes us on a journey through Black artistry, identity, and legacy. He breaks down the art of performance poetry, the deep influence of the church, and his mission to revive historical moments with immersive storytelling. Whether you’re a creative, a dreamer, or someone rediscovering your voice, this episode is a masterclass in turning life into art. Chapters & Timestamps: 0:00 – Proximity to Purpose & the Kanye Conversation 1:37 – Welcome to A.R.T. & Guest Intro 2:30 – Legacy in a Name: Sir Michael Wayne Turner III 3:05 – Houston to the Bay: Finding Home 4:18 – First Impressions & Performance Style 5:19 – Acting Through Poetry 6:22 – How Poetry Found Him at 16 7:50 – Dancing with Destiny’s Child at 8 8:54 – Discovering Brave New Voices 10:43 – The Power of Youth Performance 13:48 – Stories That Make You Cry 15:51 – Love Among the Unhoused: A Poem That Stuck 17:15 – Creativity That Cuts Through 18:17 – Falling in Love with Acting 19:24 – Church as a Training Ground for Performance 21:38 – What Makes a Great Actor? 23:54 – The Birth of Hat Matter 28:09 – How a Halloween Costume Sparked a Movement 30:35 – Becoming the Black Mad Hatter 33:22 – Dancing Between Sanity & Madness 34:58 – Taking Hat Matter Global 37:06 – Ghost of King: Reclaiming MLK’s Voice 40:07 – Humanizing the Legend 43:22 – Why Love Is Still the Only Way 45:04 – The Pastor Behind the Icon 47:25 – What’s Next: Films, Music, and Timeless Visions 51:33 – Poetic Grammy Dreams & Bay Area Love 52:36 – Final Reflections & Socials