Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Mary Schaefer.
Hi Michelle Mary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a Deaf woman, I have faced countless barriers from audism to sexism yet none of it has stopped me from pursuing my passions for storytelling in the entertainment industry. My journey has been one of resilience, survival an purpose.
Many years ago, I nearly lost my life due to a medical error. I was rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where Dr. Alex Haller saved my life. As I lay in the incubator for months, uncertain whether I would survive, Dr. Haller told my parents that I had ” a strong will to live, and that I’m a fighter” and from that will an artist was born.
Growing up, I was captivated by film and television. I loved watching movies, acting out scenes, and performing in community and dinner theatre. I dreamed of being on Full House, Seventh Heaven, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As a kid I even saved all my money to buy the “Hollywood Phone Book” and using my TTY began calling creators and producers directly (it was before I had access to the internet and email). From the beginning, I had both passion and determination to be part of the industry.
But the road was far from easy. I was constantly told “No, you can’t do this,” or “No you won’t be successful.” The barriers were not about ability but a perception. Many believed the only role I could play was Sarah Norman in Children of a Lesser God which I did six times. But I am far more than that, and always have been.
In college, a transformative moment came when my professor, Carl Freundel, told me I could write scripts. That encouragement opened the doors to a new form of story telling. While balancing classes, rehearsals, writing and research, I wrote my first script in 2002: Hanneli, a deeply personal story about Hannah Pick-Goslar. Hannah herself along with her sister Rachel (Gabi), read the script and loved it. I still hope to bring this story to the screen in honor of Hannah, and her sister, and all who perished during the Holocaust. Also in one of the letters I received from Miep Gies (who helped the Frank’s family during the hiding) she said “I can forsee that both as a scriptwriter and as an actress you will very well communicate with your audience.” And that meant a lot to me that someone sees and believes in me.
For years, I have written multiple TV Series and Feature script. I continue fighting every day to finding funding, collaborators, and partners to greenlight these stories. Authentic stories and representation matters and I know the audience are hungry for them. Yet, I’ve often been underestimated because of my Deafness, even though my skills, creativity and drive are undeniably strong and deeply rooted.
While developing these projects, I founded Annabelle Louise Productions, named after my beloved dog Annabelle, whose unconditional love carried me through so many difficult moments. Through the company, we have produced four award-winning short films: REAL, Babe to Blocked, It’s a Match and Sweet Sam which each one proof that stories rooted in truth and representation resonate deeply with the audience.
My supporters, my fans, my friends, and community constantly ask when they will see more. And trust me: I work every day, pouring my heart and entire savings into my dreams, taking risk and refusing to give up.
Alongside filmmaking, I’ve invested in my education and training. I have certification in Intimacy Coordinator/Direction, Business of Entertainment, Films and TV and Mental Health First Aid, as I work toward becoming a Mental Health Coordinator for Films and TV. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Communication (Screenwriting, Writing for the Media, Public Relations) and an Associate of Arts in Theatre. Yet, despite all of this, I continue to face discrimination rooted in audism as I seek employment. Still, I persevere.
Above all, I’m an Actor. Acting is my first love, the heartbeat of everything I do. I am honored to be the first Deaf female Actor to play Billy in Tribes by Nina Raine, a role I performed five times, finishing under the director of Broadway’s Louis Hobson. I’ve also proven that when artists look beyond limitations, anything is possible: from Hamlet in Hamlet, to Hannah in Sarah Treem’s When Were Young and Unafraid, to Joan in Fun Home, Ashlinn in Made of These, and Iris in Happy With You.
Recently, I was cast in my first SAG Feature Film, Merv directed by the amazing Jessica Swale and starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox. Filming in Wilmington, North Carolina was magical. The cast and crew treated me as an Actor, a human being. My role wasn’t written as Deaf, and that is exactly the point. Characters do not need to be labeled as “hearing roles.” (But of course, roles written for Deaf characters should always go to Deaf actors. Yet even in 2025, hearing actors continue to take opportunities that rightfully belongs to us.) However, human roles become richer when Deafness is allowed to exist naturally, adding depth and authenticity. I am deeply grateful to Jessica, the producers, and Zooey for seeing me as I am. You can watch Merv on December 10th on Prime.
To the writers, directors, showrunner, producers and filmmakers out there: If you are wondering how to be inclusive, ask us! There’s nothing to fear. True collaboration expands stories, deepen characters and strengthens the industry.
My story is not just about surviving, it is about creating, fighting and believing in what’s possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, as I’ve shared before, but every challenge has shaped my resilience. However, it’s okay to support another person who’s in the same niche as you. It won’t hurt your business, if anything, it’ll help you both. Competition happens at the bottom. At the top, we collaborate when we open our mind, eyes, and heart. Let go of ego, fear, assumption, which we should embrace, learn, empower and bloom together!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an Actor, I’m always seeking opportunities in film and theatre with challenging roles that allows me to bring characters to life authentically.
As a Writer, I’m driven to find dedicated collaborators, strategic partnership, funding, and distribution to champion and greenlight my authentic TV and feature projects.
As a Director, I’m constantly looking for projects that ignite my creative vision and allow stories to come alive on screen and on stage.
As an ASL/Deaf Culture Consultant, I’m always seeking projects to collaborate on to ensure authenticity and accurate representation and translations from English text to ASL.
As an Intimacy Coordinator/Direction I’m always seeking projects that allows me to provide intimacy support on stage and on screen.
As a CEO of Annabelle Louise Productions, we are always seeking for collaborators, strategic partnership, funding, and distribution to champion and greenlight projects. We are Award-Winning Production Company, that values authentic stories and representation matter. The company is dedicated to bringing diverse and compelling narratives to audiences worldwide.
Contact me, and we will make a difference together!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
To succeed in this industry and life, you must lead with authenticity, stand firm in resilience and never lose your perseverance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellemaryschaefer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabellelouiseproductions/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnabelleLouiseProductions
- Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/@michellemaryschaefer4313
- Other: https://www.annabellelouiseproductions.com
