Life & Work with Meghan Allison of North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Allison

Hi Meghan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had an interest in the arts. I grew up in San Diego and started taking dance classes at The Dance Machine when I was six years old. I loved the feeling I got being in front of an audience. My grandmother used to sit me down and show me old Hollywood musicals. I remember getting lost in these films and thinking, “I can do that!” A fire was lit, and I knew there was nothing I wanted more than to be an actor. As a teenager, I was heavily involved in the theatre scene in San Diego, working professionally with companies throughout the county. Once I graduated high school, I attended college at U.C. Santa Cruz where I trained and earned a degree in Theatre Arts and worked with Shakespeare Santa Cruz. After college, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career. One thing I didn’t expect from this move, was to find such a thriving theatre community. One of my best friends from college, Emily Clark, had started a theatre company (The Unknown Artists) while living in New York with her friend Pamela Eberhardt. They asked me to join them, and I took my position on the board as Associate Artistic Director. Our company has cultivated and produced many new works with the mission of “making unknown artists known”. Our latest project has been producing the LA premiere of Bigfoot! The Musical written by Amber Ruffin at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

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?
Struggles would be putting in mildly. Six years ago I unexpectedly lost my husband Tom. He was my biggest supporter and when he passed I didn’t think I could go on. What was the point? My friends, family and theatre community rallied together to lift me out of the trenches. It is with their continued support and the grace of God that I am able to do what I dp. I truly understand the fragility of life and how important it is to celebrate my wins and find joy in every day.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as an actor, producer and choreographer, but I am most proud of my work as an arts educator. I teach dance to children as young as sixteen months. I love helping them discover the art of story telling through movement and finding their own individual passion.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My parents will tell you I was born a ham! I had a passion for literature and would often make my friends and classmates put on shows. If I wasn’t in dance class, I was usually reading plays or watching old movies with my Nana. I’ve always loved to learn and wanted to absorb as much as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iamanunknownartist.wordpress.com
• Instagram: @meghan_e_allison
• Other: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10550

Image Credits
Betsy Martinez
Daniel Sliwa