We recently connected with Michelle Cannon and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

After completing two summers with the Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory in 2000 and 2001, I was determined to pursue acting professionally. However, my migraines became chronic, and the best treatment option at the time was a medication that caused memory problems. I could no longer memorize scripts. 

In 2010, I found long-form improv through a theatre friend and fell in love with it. I took classes, met my now-husband, and started improvising with him. Our duo, Cannonball, performs monthly and has been in several improv festivals. 

Meanwhile, I took classes in solo performance while participating in variety shows. In 2011, I wrote and acted in an autobiographical one-woman show at the Phoenix Fringe Festival. Over the last several years, I’ve taken storytelling classes and participated in the local storytelling community. In 2024, I did a virtual one-woman storytelling show about my teen years for the Tucson Fringe Festival, winning the Beyond Border(lands) award.

My motivation to explore acting, improv, and storytelling was grounded in exploring emotions and my past. I returned to college and changed my major from theatre to family and human development, aiming to become a licensed mental health therapist. I’ve used Meisner techniques from acting and interpersonal communication skills from improv to be an empathetic volunteer crisis counselor in preparation for my future career. I’ll receive my bachelor’s degree in December 2025 and plan to pursue a master’s in social work afterward. I’ll continue my involvement in the performing arts, but professionally, instead of connecting with an audience, I’ll connect one-on-one with others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a Diné (Navajo) storyteller and improviser, primarily in the greater Phoenix area. As an actor, directors never cast me in indigenous roles due to not looking traditionally Native American. (My mother brought me up among my Diné family, but my father was white.) Once I was introduced to storytelling, telling true first-person stories became more creatively fulfilling for me than acting.

I’m proud of the two one-woman shows I’ve performed for fringe festivals. “From Gunshots to Hózhó” centered on surviving my boyfriend’s suicide and how it reduced my suicidality caused by bipolar disorder. “From LDS to Goth” was a comedic collection of stories about my teen years.

I’ve performed with my partner in love and improv for 12 years. Our duo, Cannonball, has played in the Sonoran All-Valley Improv Festival (SAVI Fest), Ghostfest, the Phoenix Improv Festival, the Joshua Tree Improv/Comedy Festival, the Anywhere Improv Festival, and at improv theatres across the Valley of the Sun. We’re known for exploring relationships and absurdity in monoscenes.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I experienced trauma at ages 12 and 17, causing C-PTSD. I had my first suicide attempt at age 15. In my twenties, I was finally correctly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After many years of therapy and trial and error with medications, I’ve reached emotional stability. I also manage fibromyalgia and chronic migraines. Migraine treatment has come a long way over the years, and my current regimen enables me to follow through with performance commitments.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My creativity is all about fostering self-expression and connection. The most rewarding aspect of being a storyteller is connecting with an audience by sharing autobiographical stories. It’s cathartic to share embarrassing events. Improv is rewarding because of the connections made with my scene partners, showing emotional truths amidst sometimes outrageous circumstances.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/michellecannon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CannonballImprov
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-c-195aa153/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE8VCEoLHyoSd2Pqq9t06hQ

Image Credits

Kaeden Draper
Jason Walz
Jason Walz
Jessica Abbott
Jessica Abbott