FINLEY MICAH (THEY/THEM)
"Finley is a TED talk waiting to happen"
-Jen Waldman
How it all began
Before I became a NYC-based actor.
I grew up in a small tourist town called Solvang, with the Pacific Conservatory Theatre in my backyard. My theatre career had many beginnings. The very start was with Missoula Children's Theatre, then with the Santa Ynez Theatre Group. Everywhere I've gone, I've found community and self in the theatre, through meeting others and exercising empathy through storytelling.
How I pursued
I studied theatre at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. My contributions to the community and dedication to my education received great recognition, as I was awarded the Outstanding Graduate of 2022. I earned a Bachelors in Fine Arts (emphasis in Classical Acting), as well as a minor in Shakespearean Studies.During my time at SUU, I was part of countless projects both on-stage and behind-the-scenes. In my last two years there, I became obsessed with stage combat and intimacy choreography. I tried to maximize my own potential during my four years, but always made time to give back to my community. When I first arrived at SUU, I didn't know how to advocate for myself at all; by the time I left, I was the older queer sibling that nobody knew they'd been missing. I miss my community at SUU terribly, and it's one of my dreams to be able to give back in an even bigger way, someday.
How it's going
My professional career started at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, in which I was part of a highly selective fellowship program organized through SUU and USF. It was there that I met my beautiful wife, Petralina Rae, and got in contact with Hudson Artists Agency. I moved to New York as soon as I could, and have been working towards my next big break ever since!
In January of 2023, I was a recipient of the Jorge E. Monaldo Changemaker Scholarship at Jen Waldman Studio.
"Jorge E. Maldonado Changemaker Scholarships are awarded to Artists who demonstrate incredible potential, not only in their area of study, but also in their ability to create a positive cultural impact with their art." - Jen Waldman
Artists are encouraged to submit if they feel underrepreseted in the industry, are ready to kick things up a notch, and are dedicated to career and community building. Jen's career advice—and the JWS community—have been a HUGE advantage in my fight to be better represented and connected to the industry I love.