It has been over twenty-two years since Michelle Poole walked the Merritt High School graduation stage. She was a bigeyed blonde with a big smile to match her kind disposition. She worked hard waiting tables while attending school.
For all intents and purposes, she looked and seemed like most all the other teenage girls bouncing up and down the hallways of Merritt High School.
But, inside her was an imagination eager to let loose on artistic pursuits that Poole simply didn’t yet know how to bring to life.
All these years later, she has finally found the way.
Poole has become an actor. Although Oklahoma isn’t necessarily synonymous with the film and stage industries, Poole says both are thriving here in the Sooner State.
And, through a chance enrollment in an improve class, she says she has now found one of her life’s great passions.
When her youngest child was two, her friend was teaching an improv class at OKC Improv and signed Poole up.
“I instantly fell in love! Comedy has played such a huge role in our family and being on stage is just like another Tuesday night in the Poole household. It felt natural and normal,” Poole stated.
Like many classes, Poole networked with other newcomers and actors alike.
“Through improv, I met a friend who recommending taking classes at the Actor Factory in Norman, Oklahoma. I jumped in and started taking every class I could, I took a script analysis class with Johnathan Lipnicki, the kiddo from ‘Jerry Maguire’ and ‘Stuart Little.’ He introduced me to the Meisner Acting Technique, and it really just clicked with me. I began taking private lessons with a Meisner coach, Adam Lowder with Anytown Actors Lab, twice a week for seven months. Adam gave me a solid foundation to lean on and grow from. I continue to take classes as often as I can and take an on-going advanced audition class with Chris Freihofer, CSA at the Actor Factory. Chris has been so valuable in my training and growth as an actor. He has given me confidence to just put it all out there and not worry what anyone thinks. Just let go. That is where the magic of acting happens,” Poole explained.
Poole’s first film, “Family Secrets,” was through a 48 film festival. She recently completed filming “Breaking Champions,” and is often in regional commercials. She was on the set of “Twisters” for six days.
She touts the film rebates that the state of Oklahoma offers. While pursuing acting isn’t typically associated with the Great Plains, Poole says that technology teamed with artistic passion makes acting a delight in Oklahoma.
“If you love acting and you are truly passionate about the craft, then don’t let anything stop you from doing it! This business is really, really hard and there are a lot of nos. It might feel like rejection, but that doesn’t matter. You keep going. You get in a class! You need a good, solid foundation, and there are so many ways to go about it, especially with classes being offered online,” Poole said.
