My-Ishia Cason-Brown, Actress, Dancer, Model, & Blogger
Age: 29
High School: Thurston High School
College: Oakland University
Neighborhood/City: Detroit
How she’s making her mark on the city of Detroit:
“I am a part of the emerging film industry that’s here in Michigan I’ve worked on many movies sets as an actress, PA and as a stand-in. I created MIbookedit.com because I was getting really frustrated with people jumping out of the woodwork ready to take advantage of Michigan actors who are excited about the new film industry here. ‘Give me $400 dollars and I’ll teach you everything you want to know about acting in two days’. It was like every weekend there was some new over-priced workshop making false promises to people”.
“MIbookedit.com is a great resource for actors here in Michigan. I post tons of information and share links and articles about auditions, film festivals, contests, acting schools, and other industry information. A lot of actors are still walking around with black and white head shots or some glamour shot that has been Gaussian-blurred the mess out of. Big no-no, you have to look just like you plus everything is in color now. In order to compete with LA we need to step up our game! So my blog’s purpose is to provide a guide to help out newer actors here in Michigan”.
On how she got her start:
“Years of training, auditioning and just keeping my eyes on the prize and moving forward. My mother has always kept me in the arts, at church events I was on point with my Christmas and Easter speeches. I took dance classes, and performed in many plays and talent shows at the Northwest Activity Center. I got great joy out of performing, I have always wanted to be an actress or some type of artist (laughs). I did a lot of research on talent agencies. I would look in newspapers and online for auditions to go to. My first professional role was a back up dancer in Perilous Times at the Music Hall. ”
On her work:
Biggest role: “I played Veronica Yonker in “Valley Song” at Detroit Repertory Theatre. I have played a lot of lead roles in many independent films. In Gran Torino I was the Muslim Receptionist, in Meet Monica Velour I played Jazelle and in the The Domino Effect directed by Paula van der Orest, I play the airline employee. In 420, an independent movie that is currently filming here, I play the role of Tessa and I love this character because it is very mentally and physically challenging” .
On why she chooses to stay in Metro Detroit:
“Detroit is my home and it’s where my family is. I was inspired most by my mother, she exposed me to museums, theaters, and opened me to appreciate life and everything in it. The city itself has so much potential with all of it’s jewels. I still believe in Detroit, the work is coming here. I like the challenge because as actors when we audition we’re going up against LA , NY, and Chicago actors. To land a role is an amazing feeling.”
On her favorite things about Detroit:
“I love the Eastern Market, the Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival and the Detroit’s Winter Blast!”
On what she wishes you knew about Detroit:
“The historical importance. Beautiful areas such as Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Famous shows that started off here such as Soul Train and the Scene.”
On future plans:
“I want to continue my success in the movie industry”.
My-Ishia’s words of wisdom:
“As far as trying to break into the Detroit Film Industry, if you are happy with just being on set as an extra it’s a piece of cake. If you are more serious you’ll have to put a lot of work into it: taking classes, practicing monologues, auditioning for short films, plays and commercials. Have a great talent agent that knows your strengths. Self promotion is great. Self-produce your own work and have your tools together. I know a lot of actors who have a talent for writing and they write, direct, and produce their own work. If you are willing to put forth the effort you should do pretty well in the industry here. Most importantly it’s about who you know, networking is very important!”
Related Websites:
-Margarita Barry
March 1st, 2010 - 9:27 pm
You can now post comments on http://www.iamyoungdetroit.com using your Twitter, Facebook, or OpenID login! Woot Woot!
March 1st, 2010 - 9:55 pm
My-Ishia you are very inspiring. I think it's fantastic that you are using your experience and knowledge in the industry to help others via your blog. I recently saw Gran Torino and when I saw your part, I was like "Yeah! Go Girl!". Very good movie. Way to rep for your city!
As a pre-teen I spent my many summers at the Northwest Activity Center too, that place made for a good childhood fun and kept me from being inside playing video games all summer. Not that it deterred me from eventually becoming a nerd anyway, but I digress. Congrats on all of your success!
March 2nd, 2010 - 6:36 am
MICHIGAN LOVES MY-ISHIA!!!!!!!!!!! Such a god sent angel to all of Michigans hopefuls! Love your strentgh and your abilty to be amazing and real all at once!
June 5th, 2011 - 3:49 pm
The best website……
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