On January 15, 2016 Nicki Micheaux, known most notably as the star of ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights, came to UF’s School of Theatre + Dance to speak to students. Micheaux discussed working and living as a professional actress and offered tips to students looking to “make it’” in Hollywood.
“The biggest piece of advice I can give is to just be awesome,” said Micheaux. Throughout the hour-long talk she encouraged students to figure out their dream career, work hard and to set up their lives to become an actor. “Once you decide to act, everything else becomes secondary,” explained Micheaux, noting that this business is not for the faint of heart with its 14-hour workdays and seemingly endless chances for rejection.
Along with her thoughts on acting and the business, Micheaux also gave students a healthy dose of general life advice. “Say yes to everything,” she suggested. “You can take any project and make it an opportunity to meet new people and learn something new.”
UF students Chaz May (BFA Musical Theatre) and Eddie Datz (BFA Acting) who both attended the “Break Into Hollywood” session agreed it was very beneficial for anyone who wants to be a working actor.
Micheaux spoke with a sense of authority that comes only after working in Hollywood for more than 20 years. “She was honest and sometimes brutally so, but it was a real eye-opener for us students,” May said.
Micheaux is currently the voice of Wells Fargo and continues to work as a professional actress.
