Meet Makaila Anderson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Makaila Anderson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Makaila, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve always known that I wanted to make a difference in the world, but for a long time, that goal felt intangible. How could one person possibly create meaningful change in such a vast, complex world?

At my core, I am a performer. I grew up in the dance community and later found my place in theatre. The arts have always been central to my identity, and I knew early on that I wanted to pursue them as a career.

What I never expected was that my passion for the arts would become the very tool I’d use to create change. Over time, I discovered how performance could amplify voices, foster belonging, and challenge injustice. I’ve used my craft to raise awareness and inspire conversation in my community.

Currently, I’m producing a show in New York City titled Speaking Out, Singing Louder, which embodies this mission. All proceeds will go to Democracy Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting democracy and advancing justice. I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership roles I’ve taken on and the opportunity to create art that has a real impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a Filipina-American young woman who has found her voice and purpose in the performing arts. My journey has taken many forms—starting as a young performer, teaching students in high school, and now producing work in college. Each step has deepened my connection to this craft and expanded how I use it to create impact.

Currently, I’m training to be a performer at the Institute for American Musical Theatre in New York City while simultaneously earning my degree from Arizona State University—something I’ve been able to pursue thanks to my job at Starbucks.

I’m also incredibly proud to be producing a show in New York titled “Speaking Out, Singing Louder.“ This will be a powerful night of Broadway music as we amplify marginalized voices, fostering hope and community in these challenging times. Performers from all over the world are coming together and will donate the proceeds to Democracy Forward – a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education, and regulatory engagement – supporting those affected by changes to their rights.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Ironically, the biggest positive influence on my journey has been the people who didn’t believe in me. Their doubt didn’t break me—it fueled me. I became determined to accomplish the things others thought I couldn’t, not to prove them wrong, but to prove to myself that I could.

My best advice? Use negativity as motivation, but don’t let it define you. Let people be wrong about you. There will always be opinions—most of them rooted in other people’s insecurities—and you can’t control that. What you can control is how you respond.

The people who don’t stand by you at your lowest don’t deserve to celebrate you at your highest. At the end of the day, if you are proud of who you are and the work you’re doing, that’s what truly matters.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

The beginning of college was a difficult time for me. I came in thinking I knew exactly who I was and what I wanted from life—but I was quickly proven wrong. As a performing arts major, I assumed I’d be learning the most about my craft. Instead, I ended up learning the most about myself.

The first year of college is tough for many students. It’s often their first real step into adulthood, which naturally comes with mistakes. I made plenty of my own in those first few weeks, but I used them as opportunities to reflect and grow into the person I wanted to become.

Performing is a deeply personal discipline. What sets it apart from other fields, like business, is that your work depends on your ability to be open and vulnerable. You have to bring your full emotional self into the room every day—and that’s incredibly challenging. It brings up insecurities and, in my environment, it created a place where it felt like people needed to tear each other down just to feel secure. I started to notice myself getting caught up in that, and I didn’t like the person I was becoming.

So I made a conscious decision to change. I began stepping away from toxic conversations and standing up for people being spoken about negatively. I reminded myself—and others—that we were all there to learn and grow. And I realized that the students who progressed the most weren’t the ones focused on competition or comparison, but those who stayed focused on their own growth.

That shift in mindset changed everything for me. I was happier, more grounded, and began building healthier habits. Over time, I also realized that the environment itself wasn’t right for me. It wasn’t a place that encouraged growth or met people where they were. In the past, I might have stayed out of fear of starting over. But this time, I chose to leave—and I’m proud of myself for doing so.

Since making that change for myself, I’ve found it easier—and more fulfilling—to help create change for others. In fact, I’ve discovered a passion for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://54below.org/events/speaking-out-singing-louder-standing-up-through-song/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makaila.andersonn?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr