Posted January 17, 2025 in Alumni Profile
Lawrence School, 2016
B.F.A. Michigan State University, 2020
Since graduating from Lawrence, what have you been up to?
I graduated from Michigan State University with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Musical Theatre. After college, I briefly returned to Cleveland before moving to Los Angeles two and a half years ago. Since then, I’ve been working at the Santa Monica Playhouse and recently completed an eight-month contract as an actor in an immersive theater experience for ‘Bluey.’ I’m currently enjoying exploring Los Angeles and pursuing my acting career.
What are your favorite memories from Michigan State?
Michigan State is my happy place. Going to a Big Ten School, the football games are electric, and I loved every show I did. Living in my sorority house, Sigma Delta Tau, was the best. I made lifelong friends and cherished those memories. The campus itself is beautiful, and it has the best ice cream store on campus. Everything about Michigan State is just perfect. Even though I’m in LA now, I’m fortunate to live with one of my closest college friends. My older sister and many of my best friends from MSU are also here, which makes it feel like a little piece of home.
What is your favorite part about living in LA?
There’s always something fun and new for me to experience. I love exploring the city. I have a small coffee addition, and I’m always trying new coffee shops. I also enjoy thrifting. LA has some of the best secondhand stores. I’m a big fan of overalls. I think they’re such a statement, and they’re so easy and fun. There’s so much of LA that I haven’t tapped into yet. Everyone says it takes seven years to really know LA, and I’ve only been here for two and a half, so I’m still on that journey of discovery.
What made you decide to pursue a career in theater and acting?
I’ve always loved acting, but it wasn’t until my sophomore year at Lawrence when I did the school play that I truly realized it could be more than just a hobby. That experience, along with my Intro to Theater class at Lawrence, ignited my passion for acting and not just musical theater. From there I was like, ‘This is it.’
How did musical and non-musical productions at Lawrence prepare you for theater at Michigan State and LA?
It gave me an opportunity to pursue it. I really appreciated that everyone who auditioned had a good chance of being cast. At other schools, you might not always get a role, but at Lawrence, I felt encouraged to participate and grow.
The production quality was also high. Having a live accompanist like Eli Manos ’14 for auditions really elevated the experience and made it feel professional. This helped me feel confident and prepared when I entered auditions at Michigan State and now here in LA.
How did you adapt your stage acting to the entertainment industry?
The energy and presence I developed on stage have been invaluable. In the entertainment industry, you want people to gravitate towards you. Essentially, I use that stage presence as a tool to draw people in and showcase my talents. It’s about bringing that same charisma and enthusiasm to every interaction, whether it’s an audition or a social gathering.
What is your favorite memory from Lawrence?
Some of my favorites involve the theater. I spent so much time there. I cherished every show I participated in, and receiving an A+ from our director for The Diary of Anne Frank was very satisfying. Any basketball bus ride with the team was fun. Our coach was fantastic, and we had such a great group of girls. One of my favorite memories was the senior bonfire. The class of 2016 had such strong personalities, but we really came together that year, and it was incredible to see how close we became.
Aside from basketball and theater, were you involved in any other extracurricular activities at Lawrence?
I played soccer and also had the opportunity to serve as both Junior and Senior Class President. The perk of going to a school like Lawrence is you get to explore different interests and try new things. I didn’t feel limited to just one hobby, which allowed me to really grow and develop.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would love to be on a sitcom, but I also have a strong desire to be on stage, including potentially Broadway. My focus right now is building my career in LA. The goal is to make it in LA, New York will call.
What advice would you give a new Lawrence student?
Embrace the opportunities to connect. Get to know your classmates, faculty, and staff. The smaller class sizes create a unique environment where you can truly be yourself and advocate for your own learning. Take advantage of this! Explore your interests, try new things, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The Lawrence community is incredibly supportive, and you’ll always have people cheering you on. No one is going to let you fall on your face.
What advice do you have for students who learn differently?
Remember that everyone learns differently. It’s not just you. Don’t let that hold you back! Find the learning style that works best for you and embrace it. Your education, and the way you learn, is incredibly important. I’ve personally benefited from understanding my own learning style. I’m very much a visual learner, so I thrive when information is presented visually, like through diagrams or mind maps. Don’t be afraid to have the conversation of, ‘Hey, let’s try it a different way.’ There are so many different ways to learn, so find what works best for you and embrace it!
My biggest piece of advice is to advocate for yourself. At the beginning of each college year, I’d meet with the student resource center for students with disabilities. I’d discuss my IEP and let them know what accommodations work best for me. These conversations were incredibly valuable. Even years later, I still realize the importance of those discussions and how they helped me succeed in college. You might be surprised at how helpful some accommodations can be.
What do you miss most about Lawrence?
I miss the people. The sense of community at Lawrence is so great, and the relationships I formed there were truly special. It didn’t matter what grade you were in—I built strong friendships with everyone, from freshmen to seniors. Everyone felt valued and respected, and there was a genuine sense of camaraderie.
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Editor's Note: This interview was conducted in November. Michala assured Lawrence School she is safe following the recent fires in LA.