About the Guest

Michael Shutt is a playwright, actor, director, and producer with 30 years of experience. Based in Los Angeles, he has worked with companies such as Antaeus, Ghost Road, Celebration, Son of Semele, and his artistic home, Moving Arts where he originated the role of Ellery in EM Lewis’ award-winning Play SONG OF EXTINCTION, and performed over 500 times in the unique immersive theatrical event THE CAR PLAYS, which included performances at The Walt Disney Hall, Segerstrom Center, and La Jolla Playhouse. Michael co-founded and ran Moving Arts’ New Play Development Lab “MADLab,” where he focused on helping other playwrights tell their stories. Then, after surviving three strokes, he decided to finally tell one of his own. A LESSON IN SWIMMING is Michael’s autobiographical solo show that takes you inside his brain as it breaks and invites you to experience how deep the cracks really go. A semi-finalist for The Eugene O’Neill Center’s 2020 National Playwright’s Conference, it was scheduled to have its world premiere in May 2020 and is currently on hold because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Michael has a BA in Theatre from Kalamazoo College, an MFA in Acting from UCLA, and is a graduate of The British/American Drama Academy in London, England.

💡Fun Fact:

I’ve been to Antarctica.

🤓Nerdom:

Musical theatre, Shakespeare, and marching band.

Joe Borges

Joe is a podcast host, blogger, personal mentor and mindset coach. His mission is to create community and support for stroke and brain injury survivors through his podcast, The NeuroNerds, his blog JoeSoRocks and his YouSoRock coaching program.

Lauren Manzano

Felice LaZae

Felice LaZae is a producer, singer/songwriter, and performer. Her work is featured by Forbes, Rolling Stone, Vogue, Vice, The Grammys, and ESPN. She has collaborated with companies including Avid Technology, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Logitech, and Airbnb.