What inspires you as an artist? My biggest inspiration is my progress.
Especially as self-tapes continue to become standard, I have been kept awake a great many nights by reflecting on my self-tapes from even 2 months ago. They make me cringe. They make me spiral and beat myself up for ever daring to submit something so awful.
But that is a sign of growth. At the time of submission, all of those self-tapes have felt like my best work, my magnum opus. Now I can't stomach the thought of them. Which means I've grown exponentially in such a short time and is always so inspiring... once I stop cringing.

Tell us a story from your childhood that illuminates who you are as an artist?
When I was around 9 years old, I went to a Summer camp which put on a small, DEFINITELY unlicensed production of Frozen. As with most theatre programs, there weren't enough guys.
In this production, I played Grandpabby, who, if you're unfamiliar, is the head troll who informs Anna that her heart has been frozen. Despite being a small role with one scene and MAYBE 7 lines, I decided that I was going to attempt to do Grandpabby's voice. I did. Was it good? Nope.nTo this day, I always try to do the most and use whatever weird skills I have in my toolbox (The amount of times I've beatboxed for a show is between my resume and God)

Who are or were your theatrical heroes?
Basic answer, but Lin Manuel Miranda. He's so bold and unrepentant in his style of storytelling and I love the vigor and passion he holds for almost all of his projects. He is the modern day Sondheim for a reason.
Slightly more pretentious answer? Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. He is incredibly unafraid to break the rules of traditional theatre and explore sub-genres in the name of creating something completely new. I'd love to be a Somebody someday.

What kind of theatre excites you?
I can find tremendous value in almost any work. Pick any play/musical and I will find a dream role within that work. Be it a single scene/number that I really enjoy and would like to be a part of, or an emotional arc that really speaks to me. But my overall dream as a creative is to go somewhere I've never been. I'd love to originate a role someday or do something groundbreaking that bends the rules of traditional theatre. I love watching a work with my dramaturg brain turned on and going, "*gasp*! They broke the (insert rule here) rule!" I get so excited when I see something bend traditional norms, especially if it's a style that you don't expect broken rules from as opposed to something more avant-garde, where the intention going in is to break rules.

What’s the craziest thing you have ever needed to do for theatre?
In my first ever acting course in college, I was instructed to perform Shakespeare's sonnet 136. My professor explained the meaning of the sonnet, that Shakespeare was using said work to flirt with someone and he picked someone for me to perform to. He points at my 54yo classmate and gives me a simple stage direction. "Seduce her!"...I was 17 at the time.

Outside of a theatre, what’s your favorite hot spot in Orange County?
...If I say it, it's gonna get crowded :( I can tell you the WORST spot in Orange County? Corona Del Mar State Beach. You absolutely shouldn't go there. You absolutely should NOT climb the rocks on the jetty and watch the sunset as the waves crash right beside you and threaten to splash you with mist.
I am 100% telling you to NOT go see the tide pools or explore Pirate's Cove.
Yup. Definitely do not recommend.
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Go ahead, promote your things…. (Websites, social handles, past achievements, etc.)
@makayla.ohman on Instagram
Neighborhood Irvine