Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Zeitlin.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My own journey began quite young- as a classical ballet dancer, I trained on full talent scholarships with the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto, Banff School of Fine Arts BC, where I also won the first Young Choreographers Award, Joffrey Ballet, NYC, where I ultimately joined the junior Concert Dance Group and toured performing solo roles in an eclectic repertoire. Actually, let me back up even farther– I got my SAG card in a Pepsi Challenge Commercial on the Will Rogers Beach, at age 14, and I’m sure I was “scouted” and cast because I had on one of the ONLY one-piece bathing suits in Southern California. I also entertained for Birthday Parties for little kids- and owned my own service called Mishie-Poo Theatre, and got some early Press about that. I was entrepreneurial from an early age and that supported my goals as an artist and ballerina. Cut to: A busy career as Triple Threat (dancer, singer, actor) in Television Shows, Movies, Commercials, Live Theatre. I also was on Broadway and in the FAME TV series, all by age 22. So it was a young trajectory. Now I’m in a position to help other young artists, writers, models, actors, follow their Yellow Brick Road to Success! I am a Talent and Literary Manager and also give coaching and career development with my own Passion to Power offering. I also work with Corporations to help those who need their speeches punched up or written. I coach online and in person.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No…..does anyone has (have) a smooth road? In fact, that’s why I offer Passion to Power, to explain how anyone can reach their goals and DREAMS, but not always in a LINEAR line! My own journey has been on many a road, and all very curly. From dancer to actor to singer to choreographer-director to talent manager and onward. I’m also now a mother of a young rock singer with her own band- Forever Emerald, and I have a talented and analytical son, who loves choir in High School and who does some of my video and music editing. He’s into Parkour. I learn every day from my kids and my talented clients in all disciplines, that Noone has a “smooth road” but we can all make it there. And as the song goes, “if you can make it there…you can make it anywhere…” That’s my nutshell on my road, and I keep paving my own.
Please tell us about More Zap Productions & Management.
I specialize in triple threats, but I also develop and represent all kinds of artists and creatives. More Zap Productions & Management has been in operation since 1991, and my company has morphed a few times. I have a wonderful co-agent for book rep. Jane Hamilton works with me on all kinds of books and we represent authors in all genres. In TV, I align with specific clients and companies, based on the needs and skills of my partners. Right now I am pitching a project to produce Unscripted Reality Dance Show in the UK, an Animation Hybrid Live Action show for Pre-Schoolers and a Latin Reality Show with Salsa dancers. In addition, for many years I produced, directed and choreographed live events and still do.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Maybe had my kids a little earlier… Tried to be less hard on myself. Gotten some Technical Skills a bit earlier in graphics, computers, etc. Technology moves rapidly, and the digital universe is where it’s at right now. I wish I would have gotten more opportunity on Broadway to sing and act, as I was so right for so many roles in my young adulthood.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.morezap.com Passion-Power.com
- Phone: 3107495700
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @morezap1
- Other: http://www.passion-power.com
Image Credit:
Matthew Shaffer, London, Russell Baer Photography
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