We recently connected with Meisha Brooks and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Meisha, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I never dreamed of being an artist. It’s strange. Not out of lack of support, it just never popped into my mind. I have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Harvard, spending time at MIT as well, specializing in humanoid robotics and prosthetics. At no point in college did I even consider pursuing my current career but something was always pulling me in that direction. One instance was my quitting of track. I was a champion D1 400m sprinter and decided to leave that behind so that I had more time to try musicals and other creative extracurriculars on top of my engineering course load (I’m working hard to turn those track star skills into action star skills so watch out world I’m coming!!). I needed a creative outlet and still at no point did I think of pursuing an artist’s career. My sophomore year I made the choice between concentrating in stop-motion animation or engineering, and the only reason I chose engineering was because I figured I couldn’t teach it to myself.

It’s funny looking back now because I ended up in the second phase of that crossroad, but this time I chose to immerse myself in storytelling. I have always been fascinated by human nature. What I loved about engineering was always human-centric — user testing, discovering what makes people who they are, what motivates them, human interfaces. I especially love prosthetics because you are attempting to replace a part of someone that they have lost. I did a stint in San Francisco after graduation. Worked as a contract mechanical engineer helping design accessories for people with mobility impairments such as cerebral palsy to use smart devices (shout out to KENU!). The work was fulfilling but I wanted to keep exploring. I studied UX/UI while also pursuing modeling, something I had done on the side since I was 14 in Boston.

I eventually landed a position at a startup in NYC, my dream city. The startup ran out of money as so happens at startups and I had a job offer in Tokyo (Fun Fact: I speak fluent Japanese). Since the position was new, the contract took some time to be formalized and during that waiting time I decided to try modeling in NYC. I signed with an agency. The friend who had helped with my recruitment in Tokyo told me that he didn’t think in the end I’d be happy in the position since the company environment wasn’t turning out to be the greatest. I trusted that and took it as a sign to pursue modeling full-time. My then modeling agency introduced me to an acting agency (Innovative Artists) who I met with originally for beauty commercials. In that meeting they said, “We love your personality, you should act!”. I was thrown into auditions and decided in order to not embarrass myself or others to take acting lessons. I auditioned and was accepted into Anthony Abeson’s class and the rest is history. In that first class it was like a lightbulb went off that said this is what you’re supposed to do for the rest of your life. I had always felt that something was missing, something was just out of my grasp. I just didn’t know what. I finally found it.

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 huge sci-fi fantasy nerd and find that those genres highlight humanity more than any others. Growing up bi-racial (my mother is British-Canadian and father is African-American to put it simply) I have always felt between two worlds and of two worlds and I think that’s always helped power my fascination with genres that tend to span and unify vast communities.

I’ve had the honor to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Upright Citizens Brigade, as well as studied with renowned coaches like Anthony Abeson, Lesly Kahn, Bob Krakower, and Sharon Chatten. Recent credits include a lead role in the award-winning audio drama “The Crime at Camp Ashwood” and a supporting role in the upcoming film “Out of Order!” alongside Brooke Shields, Luis Guzman, Sandra Bernhard, and Tao Okamoto. I am currently starring in a new dystopian play called THE SHELTER. We just finished previews and will have more performances in March 2025. Growing up as a competitive athlete I train in action, combat, and Jeet Kune Do.

As an actor, I love performing no matter what genre but find that I am most drawn to stories that are not of this world. I was born and raised in Boston but when I was 11 my middle school made us learn Japanese. I knew nothing about the culture at the time but I fell in love with how it sounded (thank you Nagaoka-sensei!). I took lessons outside of school at the Japan Society of Boston and when I was 16 I was granted a scholarship from the Japanese government to study abroad in high school with Youth for Understanding. I lived in Nara, Japan and my host family became like my real family and I am still very close with my friends to this day. Japan has shaped my career and life immensely. I now split my time between NYC, LA, and Tokyo and plan to spend more time in the UK and Canada as well. Plant the seeds where I can and they will grow is my motto.

Instead of simply waiting to be cast I have started writing and producing my own films to act in. I just wrapped a dark-comedy short called MERFOLK this winter and am in the very daunting but exciting post-production phase with plans to submit to film festivals. I am also working on a sci-fi feature film treatment.

Although acting and storytelling are my main focus I still enjoy modeling. I have modeled for brands such as Issey Miyake, Estée Lauder, Moncler, Macy’s, Oscar de la Renta, Steve Madden, New Era, Fila, Purple Magazine, Bibhu Mohapatra, Bronx and Banco, American Eagle, and Alice + Olivia, among many others. I love the transformation aspect of modeling. It gave me confidence in front of the camera and made me comfortable in my body.

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

My first acting coach Anthony Abeson said, “It is our job as actors to remind the world of their humanity”. and I truly do believe that. The impact that we as artists can have on this world is immense. I don’t think there’s one person on this planet who doesn’t have a favorite tv show, movie, or song. That power allows us to speak for those whose voices are not heard, to turn the mirror on people, and to have them examine who they are and what they have done. I love that my work can affect people to their core and can be a place of respite when everything can feel so overwhelmingly terrible.

I am also a strong advocate for accessibility and prison reform and hope to use my work to support change as I progress in my career.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

“Le Petit Prince” (“The Little Prince”) is one of my favorite books and I think one of the most important books any artist, any human being can read. We are born with wonder and are able to see magic in the world around us, to use our imaginations, and to dream. For some reason, society often tells us that we have to lose that when we become adults, that that joy for play is not worth retaining. I think that is one of the most tragic mistakes that can be made. There’s no reason why we should lose our imaginations and not seek to look at the beauty that exists in our world. If we all allowed ourselves to play perhaps destruction and deception wouldn’t be the priority of so many people. I am so happy that as an actor it is my job to create magic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.meishabrooks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meishabrooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meishabrooksofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meishabrooks/
• Twitter: https://x.com/meishabrooks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meishabrooks
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@meishabrooks

Image Credits

Laerke Rose, William Lords, Photoby217, Kazuki Nagayama, Kate Moore, Andre Gabb