We recently connected with Meredith Aleigha Wells and have shared our conversation below.

Meredith Aleigha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

I signed with my agent Katie in 2021. Before meeting Katie, colleagues advised me to get very clear on what my type is because it’s a common question in agent meetings. However, Katie never asked me about my type. Despite the resume of mythological creatures and child roles in front of her, she instead inquired if I had been seen for the Alanis Morisette Jukebox musical, Jagged Little Pill stating “I think you would fit into that world”. I was floored. Not only was that one of my dream shows, but I had received 6 auditions/callbacks for it before that meeting. Later in that meeting, she inquired about a different dream role of mine. Katie somehow pinned down exactly where I wanted to be headed without prompting. She saw my disability but also all the roles outside of that box that I was right for. So, the decision to sign with her was a no-brainer.

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 Meredith Aleigha Wells (they/she) and I’m a Chicago-based actor, singer, dancer, and writer originally from Massachusetts. Most recently, I played Sister Mary Robert in the MUNY’s production of Sister Act; garnering a BroadwayWorld Award nomination for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical. I’ve performed in one capacity or another since I was a kid but, things started to pick up for me professionally when I played Punky Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical, marking the first performance by a wheelchair user on a Broadway National Tour.

Currently, I’m originating the role of Artemis in the World Premiere of Through the Sunken Lands at the Kennedy Center, Playing March 2-17. This process has been unlike anything I’ve ever done in my career. It’s been full of new; new experiences, new challenges, new skills and, NEW PAGES galore! It’s been a lot of hard work but I feel so lucky to be a part of something so artistically fulfilling as originating a role and bringing a new work to life!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There was a moment in college after becoming disabled when as hard as I tried to love enough to pursue other facets of theatre that felt more accessible to me (I.e. directing, costume design, etc) I just couldn’t deny my absolute soul-on-fire passion for performing. I had NO idea HOW I would pursue this path with my “limitations” All I knew was that I had to or, I’d never be happy. The rest is history!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

We champion disabled people best when we advocate in ways that align with our purpose. And for me, I’ve come to realize social media advocacy isn’t aligned. That’s been a hard pill to swallow after a stint of leaning into content creation wholeheartedly. I sometimes feel guilty when another awareness month or disability pride month goes by, and I am quiet.

Yet, I’ve come to embrace the quieter aspects of my advocacy. I believe my lane as an activist is disrupting creative fields that have historically excluded people like me. Because, every time I do, I see the lightbulbs go off as nondisabled colleagues or casting directors see firsthand the barriers I face, witness the process of movement translation for the first time, or realize disabled artists are carving out their own accessible sub-genres in these industries.

When I step on stage, I force audiences to contradict any preconceived notion they may have about what a “Broadway body” or a dancer looks like. So in some ways, maybe I’m quieter than I used to be online, but hopefully, my actions speak louder than words and leave each venue more accessible and accepting than I found it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meredithaleighawells.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithaleighawells/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHyCo-mLVnIuqt3_3oQ7VTg
• Other: Newsletter: https://meredithaleighawells.substack.com/ Through the Sunken Lands promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxaajncRMoY

Image Credits
Touring Company of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS the musical. photo by Jeremy Daniel Sister Act Photos by Phillip Hamer