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

Megan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

At age 17 I decided I wanted to pursue an artistic life. The first equity theatre show I ever did was a production of The King and I and I was about 8 years old. I remember getting a paycheck like the adults in the show and I had no concept of money then really until I bought a huge trampoline with some of my earnings. I grew up with my brother and single mom and watched my college professor mother also work two OTHER side jobs. She hustled her butt off and I know she only loved the teaching. But she did what she had to do. Looking back I think that made me want to pursue only the things I loved. Then when I was 16 and had done a couple other equity shows, I realized that the adults in the shows were actually living off their earnings! They were spending all their time training, rehearsing, doing shows and that was all they needed to do! Granted this was still a limited 16 year old perspective and probably not accurate, but that seemed like magic to me. But aside from “making a living,” it was the first time I felt inclusion and cohesion in my life. Inclusion because I always felt so out of place everywhere I went, but in the theatre I felt like I belonged. Cohesion because I always felt that at dance class I was trying to be a good dancer, in school to be a good student, at home a good big sis, like I was always trying to be the thing that THAT situation needed. Very people-pleasing. But in the theatre all parts of me came together and it made sense. It was then when I realized I love spending my time training, auditioning, rehearsing, performing. It checked all the boxes for me, which at the time included: 1. do scary things, 2. express myself safely and 3. play.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started as a dancer at the age of 3 and never stopped. Dance took me around the world and introduced me to other forms of art and movement. Dance turned into musical theatre, to theatre, to commercials, to acting in film and T.V. and then included martial arts as well as stunt performance for film and T.V.

But right now acting is my center. I use acting as a way to process my life, a place to put my empathy and also intimately engage with others. Even if I weren’t doing it professionally I would still be doing it because it continues to check all the boxes; do scary things, express myself safely and (now) contribute. At the moment, dramatic roles and action-oriented roles excite me the most.

I always used to think I was not enough of anything (and I still have to keep that fearful voice in check). But I’ve learned to accept and embrace all the weirdo aspects of myself. Now I realize I am multi-faceted and that strength and flexibility can serve me in any artistic or leadership position I find myself in. Art and leadership is where I feel I can best be of service.

I say leadership, because I also have a strong desire to be involved in community outreach and help others find ways they can help their community. Because that sense of belonging is so important to me personally and I always want other people to feel like they belong. To this day, I’m always finding the loner in the group and trying to be their friend. In 2010, me and a friend started a community outreach organization called AIM: Artists in Motion, which focused on mobilizing volunteers towards community outreach. Our operations grew for 10 years and then Covid, as well as both of us having children forced us to put that on hold. But I am so happy to say that it is evolving into what I’ve always dreamt of and that is to not only mobilize volunteers, but support them in their outreach as well as their activism. Because this world needs it. We need young people who view outreach and activism as fundamental in their lives.

At the end of the day I love making things and I love humans. I love movement and exploration and doing brave things with daring people. And I will continue to make that the core of my being no matter what job I have.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest lessons I’ve received came from having my children. I could give you so many examples of many different lessons I’ve been getting in motherhood, but the most interesting to me right now is having the ability to pivot. The birth of my second child was all about pivoting. We planned a hospital birth with an OBGYN, which at 29 weeks switched to a home birth with midwives and doula which 2 weeks before his due date became just my husband and 3 year old daughter in attendance while I birthed standing over a toilet. This animalistic, but also nurtured ability to “go with the flow,” “roll with the punches,” solidified itself in me over that time. It was the most magical change I’ve ever experienced and I’m so grateful.
And to this day, I can be so organized, goals thought out, micro schedules planned, but I have kids and lead an artistic life! The only thing I KNOW after making a plan, is that it will NOT go this way. So let’s just find out how it goes. (I literally have “Let’s find out” tattooed on my foot.)
And now, with the entertainment industry, especially in L.A., shifting the way it is I might want to pivot again. But that’s the dance. And knowing my values, my worth, my purpose, I can put that into any career, any endeavor and it will all work out.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Everyone in society should nurture the creative side in themselves. We could all stand to be more compassionate individuals and less polarized as a society. I am an optimist, but also a realist. With that said, I will boldly say that art will save the world. Art is where humanity gets to be seen and heard. And those who make the art are the ones who have their finger on the pulse of humanity and the voice to share it. That is no small feat.

And I think artists are begging society to slow down, get in touch with their authentic selves and have some compassion. Make that be the standard! See the value in art because it shapes our world. If society really appreciated artists in that way, artists could be paid fairly, judged less harshly and the whole world would just be better.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @missmeganle

Image Credits

Caitlin Fisher
Franz Steiner