Meet Micaela. Author, public speaker, and OYES alumni student.
Hi, I’m Micaela! I'm twenty-one years old, a public speaker and author writing books about growing up with autism, currently living in Nova Scotia, Canada — but I grew up in Ojai!
I authored two books about my life and experiences growing up with autism. The first one is called Autism Over the Years, A Twelve Year Old's Memoir. Last year, I published my second book, which is called Reflection, An Autistic Teen's Journey. This book covers my adolescent years growing up as an autistic girl.
In 2024, I earned my Creative Writing Certificate through the UCLA Extension program, and I'm continuing on my path of writing while also furthering my career as a public speaker. My time performing with OYES helped give me the confidence to present to audiences about my experiences growing up with autism, which I've been doing for nearly eight years. This past spring, I was even invited to be the keynote speaker at an International Women's Day luncheon highlighting the importance of sharing our stories!
One might think that someone with autism, who struggles to communicate and socialize, might flounder in the performing arts scene. However, that turned out to be quite the opposite! In fact, I give a lot of credit to my time participating in youth theater for my social and emotional growth as a young adult.
OYES production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr
Over four years, from the ages of ten to fourteen, I greatly benefitted from many years performing with OYES. I performed in a total of ten productions! I performed my last OYES play, The Love of Three Oranges, when I was sixteen, just before moving to Canada.
I actually dedicated an entire chapter of my second book to the positive impact musical theater has had on my life!
In chapter six of my second book, I write:
“When I was performing in a play, the show came with its own set of scenes, dialogue, and music, which was all discussed and practiced before it was performed. It was expected that everyone would read their given lines, follow their cues, and be where they were supposed to be at all times. If one of us made a mistake, we didn't judge one another for it.
It was an environment where I felt okay making mistakes and experimenting with different social situations. This was really beneficial to me as an autistic teenager!
During our weekly rehearsals, we were given a variety of exercises where we were told to lean into the goofiness, to be “too much.” When we were doing choreography and dancing, the directors would tell us that we should aim to be so dramatic that they would have to tell us to tone it down!
I think I would have been a very different person had my parents not encouraged me to join after-school theater. It allowed me to lean into that dramatic side of myself and, from that, I grew to be more confident, both on and off the stage.”
I really appreciated the inclusive environment that Daena, Megg, and the other staff members worked to foster. I didn't feel like I was singled out in any way because of my autism; I was treated like any other member of the cast and formed some great friendships. I still keep in touch with friends who I met through OYES. Just last year, my best friend, who I met at age thirteen during the OYES production of Alice In Wonderland, flew out to Nova Scotia to visit me!
I often think back fondly on my time doing theater in Ojai, and every now and then, I still have odd dreams where I'm onstage or memorizing lines! My love for performing continues, so I’m also working to find opportunities to participate in the local theater programs in my area. I feel so much gratitude to everyone at OYES for creating a wonderful place for me, and many others, to grow.
👉 Discover Micaela’s work at https://micaelaellis.com/
👉 Both Micaela’s books are available on Amazon.
