Michael Kantor studied at the University of Melbourne from 1986-1990 and in Paris at the L'Ecole de Phillipe Gaulier in 1988. He worked for many theatre and opera companies throughout Australia as an actor and director.
Kantor was the artistic director of Mene Mene Theatre in Melbourne. In May 2004 he was appointed artistic director of the newly re-named Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne, Victoria: this was the first season in which the theatre had operated under that name (having previously operated as Hoola from 1976-1978 and as Playbox Theatre from 1978 onwards).
He continued at the Malthouse Theatre until 2010.
