Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Michel.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up watching Mexican Telenovelas and I always loved how it brought my family together. Acting wasn’t accessible to me until high school so I started doing musical theater and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I told myself to “get a real job” (…yeah, I know) and I decided should be a lawyer. When COVID-19 hit I had already graduated with two degrees and was working on a Congressional Staff; but I was so incredibly unhappy working at what I thought was my “dream job.” To make a long story short: in 2020, I took the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) …. twice, quit my job, found myself working at a Nonprofit for low-income children who are deaf/hard of hearing, ended up assistant directing their theater show, and re-discovered my love of acting and storytelling. Afterward, I reached out to an acting coach I worked with when I was in high school and he agreed to take me on as a student again. I trained over zoom for a year and finally felt confident enough to submit myself for auditions starting in May 2022. Since then I have been in over 20 projects and am so grateful to be where I am in my career.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been windy, bumpy, scary and amazing. The first big struggle I faced was the hesitation I felt in telling people that I was pursuing acting as a career. I don’t know if it was shame, embarassment, fear, or maybe a mix of all of those things? I was so scared of what people would think about me. Fortunately, with the support of my partner, family and closest friends; I quickly realized that this was all in my head and I became much more open about my career choice. Another thing I struggled with was feeling confident with my abilities as an actor. I would get way too in my head about things and became the biggest self-saboteur sometimes. I still struggle with this but I have learned so much since I decided to really pursue this full-time. I’ve worked with amazing actors, directors, teachers, and learn something new in every project I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actor and I am most proud of my work ethic. I’ve been in over 20 projects in the ten months that I have been seriously auditioning for things. I pride myself on being really easy to work with: I show up on time, I always have good energy on set, I know my lines, and I am present. This has gotten me some really great working opportunities already because networking is so important in the industry. I think what sets me apart is that I am always eager to learn from everyone including other actors, directors, and crew members. I love learning from other people and listening to their stories on how they got to where they are now.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am first generation Mexican-American and have indigenous Huichol ancestry. I have always been very passionate about minority representation in media and I get really emotional when I talk about the subject because I know how important accurate, authentic storytelling is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/2012445-5652138
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmichelr/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5cUyY5nYqg&t=1s
Image Credits
Lesley Bohm Photography Mitu x Walmart
