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

Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The course of my life changed in 5th grade. Prior to that, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but that quickly changed one weekday morning in the spring of 2012. My school had the tradition of showing the 4th and 5th graders the middle school’s plays and musicals, and that one morning I was filed into our cafeteria to watch “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.” I was just happy not being in the classroom at the time, but when the lights dimmed and I first heard “Pure Imagination” sung, I was hooked. Granted, the production was very much of middle school quality—our stage was indeed in the cafeteria—but it captivated me, especially given the fact that both Willy Wonka and Charlie were genderbent in the production. It made me feel so empowered to see that I too, as a woman, could play traditionally male roles in theatre. From that moment onward, I knew I wanted to be an actor.

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.

After seeing “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka,” I joined the theatre department the second I entered middle school and never looked back. From roles like the Drowsy Chaperone in “The Drowsy Chaperone” to Jim Hawkins in “Treasure Island,” I knew acting was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. When it came to college, I ended up attending the University of Southern California, where I majored in Theatre Acting and minored in Screenwriting. This balance was important to me, as I’ve always been a bit of a writer—whether it’s screenplays or comedy sketches. Overall, the degree really allowed me to study my passions and train myself professionally the craft, and I’m quite grateful for the experience. Now, I’m a working actor in the industry: doing background gigs, sending out auditions, and working as a Tour Guide at Universal Studios! In a balance of working 6 days some weeks amongst my various jobs, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It drives my passion and ambition for the industry even more.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that moment you’re locked in to your craft. As an actor, no matter the medium, you’re always chasing the moment when you’re performing and the world just…disappears. There’s nothing but you, your scene partner, and the script. On screen or on a stage, it’s invigorating. Moments like that make me feel so alive and remind me every single day why I chose this career path. There’s truly nothing more special than that.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The thing that drives me every day of my creative journey is the work itself. The reason I entered this industry was because there is truly nothing in the world I’d rather do than act and write. Trust me, I’ve thought about it. For me though, it’s not about the money or seeing myself on camera. It’s the joy I feel going to work every day—the love I feel for the process and craft of making a TV show come to life. I love this industry, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmichelman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rachelmichelman

Image Credits

Stephanie Girard