Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Makayla McIntosh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Makayla, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I think my parents always knew something was different about me. I was always in my own world, dancing or singing, and I was a very rebellious child. If someone told me to do something, I would find every way not to. If someone told me I couldn’t do something, I always found a way to prove them wrong.

We had a deal – if I kept decent grades in school, I could do what I wanted with my extracurriculars. I was allowed to choose. As long as I finished a commitment, I could change my mind after it was over. My parents took me to a lot of shows, music events, and places that I could find community in the arts.

When it came time for me to go to university, my parents told me I could go for anything I wanted to, as long as I got a scholarship, and as long as I kept my grades up. If they would have told me I had to go for something “practical” I would have just moved to New York or LA and started training. In high school, my parents let me go to boarding school, which was one of the best things they could have allowed me to do. I was in a school with kids from 40+ different countries, which meant we read incredible books highlighting diversity and other cultures. I was able to collaborate with kids all around the world. It also required me to become independent, quickly. I was in charge of my schedule and how I utilized my downtown. On weekends, you could always find me in the arts center, playing piano and singing, or dancing for hours.

I’ve had some tough times in my life – doubting myself and my ability, traumatic accidents, and devastating rejections. My parents have always believed in me no matter what. Having their rock solid belief helped me get through some of the toughest moments of my life.

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.

My name is Makayla, and I am a filmmaker, actress, and artistpreneur/filmtrepreneur/creative entrepreneur. As an actress, singer, and dancer, I had a successful career in musical theatre before transitioning to film. I was best known for understudying Cassie and Val on the national tour of A Chorus Line.

In high school, I founded Castle On A Cloud Entertainment, a children’s entertainment company in NE Ohio. We started with birthday parties, and have expanded to corporate events, concerts, and now a tribute band. Having my own company has taught me so much as an artist and a human, and given me the opportunity to give back to my community. I was born and raised in a small town in Ohio, where we had to travel at least an hour and a half to go to a professional show.

Since transitioning into film, I’ve starred in award-winning indie films, web series, and have also shifted into creating my own work. This past May, I co-produced, co-wrote an starred in my first full feature film, Shredded. Through writing my own film, I realized that my true mission is to inspire others to believe in themselves and stay true to who they are through my own film and concerts. I also want to raise awareness on social issues for a more peaceful tomorrow.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I realized earlier that creating your own art, rather than waiting for others to give you opportunities, is the best way to move your career forward, and truly share your mission and brand. Every time I’ve created my own work, more work has come from that. It’s attractive to people when you are moving forward and creating, rather than sitting around and complaining that you want work. Work begets more work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect is knowing that I’m staying true to myself. Everyday I make the choice to do things that are in alignment with how I see the world, who I am as a person, and what sets my soul on fire. I don’t have someone sitting there and telling me what I have to do. I get to be a part of the change.

The other most rewarding aspect is seeing how I’ve affected people. Whether it’s making a child or an adult smile and filled with joy, or moving someone to tears through a gut wrenching scene, I have a tremendous opportunity to bring the inner child out of people, and make them truly live and feel. In a world that’s dominated by money and shareholders, sometimes we forget that we are human first. We are meant to dance and cry and experience deep joy and love.

It’s incredible to look back on something from conception to finish, and say, “Wow. I did that. I stuck through that and created that.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.makaylamcintosh.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makayla-mcintosh-480530218/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqYkVxVmf-W1H_a_KUi8iQ
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13062515/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_2_q_makayla%2520mcintosh COAC: https://www.castleonacloudentertainment.com

Image Credits
Lauren Toub Brooklyn Film Festival Cat Yudain