We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mikaela Macias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mikaela below.

Mikaela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am happy as an artist. Recently, I have been thinking about what I’ve done for the last two years being in the San Diego theater community. And to say that I have already accomplished more than I had imagined is an understatement. I have been blessed to be surrounded by not only theater makers, but also creatives in different forms of art that have inspired me to hone in on what my creative purpose is. Asking myself this question has led to so many different avenues of expressing my art while still staying true to myself. And I don’t really wonder what it would be like to have a regular job because theater is my regular job. There are so many aspects of theater that people don’t consider a real job because of how Intangible or distant it seems. But when you really break down the expectations these educational institutes, theater industries, and you put on yourself, you are so much more than what you think.

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 auditioning for professional theatre during my sophomore year at San Diego State University. I had to do a lot of researching, sending emails and digging deep into the web to find any kind of opportunity. Then, I came across a resource called All Cities Auditions. This event is an opportunity for you to perform two pieces of your choosing in front of all of the San Diego theatre companies, agencies, and talent managements. And that was how I got my first professional acting gig with San Diego Symphony in Noel, Noel. A couple months later, I got my first professional play at Moxie Theatre in their production of Mother of the Maid. When I would share this news with my classmates, the first question they would always ask is, “How did you find this information?” And I would tell them I would find this through Facebook, Instagram, or another resource. And I got to a point where I just kept thinking, “Why is this information so difficult to find?” I decided I wanted to change that. So, I created Miki’s Audition Corner, where people have access to information about audition opportunities across San Diego. However, when I would share this information with my classmates, they would express how they struggle putting themselves out there. They would say this came from not seeing themselves represented on these professional stages. There is a huge issue in the San Diego Theatre community when it has to do with reflecting the pool of talent that they have. I feel like a lot of theatre that I have seen here comes from a very Eurocentric & heteronormative perspective. And frankly, it feels mediocre. Because of these conversations about wanting to see more change within the San Diego theatre industry, creating more community within the new wave of performers has been at the forefront of my mind. To initiate this change, my close friend and fellow theatre maker, Kailey Agpaoa, and I created The Playground. The Playground is a play reading group that provides a safe, interactive, and accessible space to explore provocative works while empowering artists by giving them the permission to show up authentically. The Playground believes that inclusive and progressive theatre cannot be made in a vacuum. The Playground was created with the intent to dismantle the stigmas and lack of space that hold us back within our own personal practice and in the theatre industry at large. We want to welcome players to make mistakes in order to nurture and cultivate art that prioritizes humanity.

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

I believe the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is accepting that you can’t do everything. There is something very humbling about being given something that is challenging and then failing. From that failure, there is room to gain more perspective on how you decide to move forward. And discover how you can use these outcomes to your advantage. It’s definitely one of the most terrifying things about being an artist. It feels like life or death when something doesn’t turn out the way you hoped it would. But that’s what I find the most exciting about living as an artist. It’s been a huge relief knowing that this is a collective feeling most artists go through. And I am consistently inspired by how the creatives I look up to have the ability to bounce back after going through very trying trials and tribulations. To me, this is the biggest testament to how you truly have to do this work because of your love for the art.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

The number one thing I notice that non-creatives struggle to understand is how this life is non-linear. I’m about to graduate college next spring & I’ve been getting the #1 question everyone loves to ask, “So, what are your plans after college? Where do you want to go? Do you have a plan b?” And I always answer with, “I don’t know. And I’m happy with that.” I am very privileged to come from a home that supports me and my creative endeavors. It has definitely been a challenging conversation that I’ve had with my parents. However, I know if I continue to stay on track with what I have been doing in the theater community, the right opportunities will come my way. Whether that be onstage, backstage, or in a different creative path, I know it will line up with what I want to continue to do. I had a conversation with a close friend recently about how we don’t like the phrase “It’ll all work out by itself.” I feel like people rely too much on taking the “appropriate” steps to get a job position.  Or putting too much trust in doing the bare minimum in order to get what you want. When really you have to make it work out. You have to be intentional about sharing with others that you’re willing to learn and work towards what’s best for everyone. This will only line you up with the work that you want to do and see in the future.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikaelaraemacias?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng== https://instagram.com/mikiauditioncorner?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA== https://instagram.com/__the_playground__?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA==

Image Credits
– Maya Tomasik – Sarah Marie Hernadez – Daren Scott – Chris Nyugen – Oceanside Theatre Company