Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Williams-Lawson.
Mac, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I’ve always been a performer. Singing as early as five and my love for acting started the age of 12. I grew up in Detroit, MI. Definitely with humble beginnings, and certainly with tons of odds stacked against my family & I. We persevered and to this day we are extremely close. After graduating hs from the Winans Academy of performing arts, I attended college at Wilberforce University and earned a B.A in Music. Months later, I moved to Atlanta, Ga to Pursue Acting Full-Time. I begin Training w/Dwayne Boyd’s Premier Actors Network and in 2013, I signed with Avery Sisters Entertainment! The rest is history, lol. I’ve been extremely blessed to share this journey with people who truly believe in my gifts. With that being said, my acting coach & mentor Dwayne Boyd hired me, and later made me a partner with Premier Actors Network. With P.A.N I self-tape and coach Plenty of actors for lots of auditions. I’ve gained so much knowledge of doing this. I became a true servant to the craft and in that God has blessed me, though still very difficult at times, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely NOT smooth, but worth it.
Struggled with finding financial stability for a very long time. Jumped from job to job to side gig until I decided to put 100% of my energy into my craft.
Car repossessions.
Staying with friends & fam, couch to couch as I call it. I’m incredibly grateful to them forever, lol.
More importantly, I struggled with believing in myself fully. My lack of self-love & insecurities got the best of me at times. I knew I could be successful, but a business overflowing with rejection after rejection can be damaging. I continued to pull back the layers and I began to find peace, self-love, joy, and happiness without needing validation from this craft and that’s when things began to change. I’m sure every artist can attest to this.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m considered a Self Tape Specialist with Premier Actors Network. My job is to record other actors as they audition for various tv shows, films, and commercials. I assist with choices, finding truth and commitment in each taping. It’s also my job to create a safe, peaceful and loving environment so that every actor can focus and be apart of a beautiful moment. I’m most proud of that fact that all my clients know that I care… it’s not about money, it’s not about clout or competition, it’s about bringing out the best in people. A lot of artists may come in dealing with outside things and I take pride in helping or even just listening in those areas as well. I do my best to treat everyone like family. That’s what sets us apart.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Man!! My list is crazy long. I’ll just name a few who were very instrumental in this Journey.
My Mother & Father who were advocates for me doing whatever made me happy.
My entire family!!!!
Charles Thomas(First Acting Coach)
He’s the first person to yell at me about finding the truth in my moments!! I was 15 years old and was never the same after that.
Dorothea Sharon – she cast me in my first 2 plays! I learned so much from her
Dexter & Kim Hardy -They treated me & still treat me like a son when I moved to Atlanta… Food, finances, prayers, a church home, etc.
Dwayne Boyd- My mentor, Acting Coach, business partner and Founder Of P.A.N. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself initially. The ability to lead, the ability to make this craft more than just about myself! I’ve also learned about the craft of acting in every way from this brother and I’m forever indebted to him for his leadership, Guidance, and Service. I’m certainly not the only one who feels this way.
Jeremy Winston- Who was my teacher, vocal coach and choir director at Wilberforce. He taught me what it means to be a true student of the craft. Yes, it was mainly for music, but I took those things and applied them to acting. He’s a great human being of honor and faith and he instilled those things in all his students… and I didn’t necessarily deserve it all the time lol
My support System is crazy!!! From my Family, my Friends, WAPA, My church fam(second EB) to Wilberforce University, to NZE, to OMEGA, to incredible relationships I made in ATL… my Pan Fam… my entire support system deserves credit!!
My Agent!!! – Gerra Avery, who believed in me when I had no credits and little to no experience behind the camera. She’s incredible and I’ll love her forever!!
GOD gets the credit for All of them, for blessings me with gifts and dreams and the will to see them through.
I’ll forever give him the Glory! Yeah
That should cover it, LOL. Hahaha.
Pricing:
- $15 – one Liners
- $30 – 30 mins
- $60- 1hr
Contact Info:
- Address: 3181 Rainbow Dr.
Decatur, Ga - Website: Premieractorsnetwork.com
- Phone: 248-470-5054
- Email: actormac88@hotmail.com.
- Instagram: @theamazingmacwells
- Facebook: Mac Wells
Image Credit:
Images by Dwayne Boyd Photography & Mikey Monday Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
