Biography
Michaela Zannou is a New York City-based actor, director and screenwriter, originally from Athens, Greece. Drawn to storytelling from a young age, Zannou would organize plays and skits with the neighborhood kids growing up.
While in college studying Business, Zannou joined her college's drama club and realized her true passions lay in acting and storytelling. She went on to earn an MFA from the "New Hellenic Theatre" and, while still at school, she participated in many theatrical productions including an international tour of "Electra," and the children's musical "A Princess' Heart". Her other theatrical work in Greece includes "This Extraordinary Brothel," "The Bold Soprano," "Hamlet," and "The Glass Menagerie."
In 2014, Zannou moved to New York City to pursue acting, writing and filmmaking. Continuing her education and growth, she trained in acting under Wynn Handman and Anthony Abeson, screenwriting under Jason Grieff (NYU), and improvisation at UCB. Within a year, she had booked spots in commercials, short films and web series, including an appearance in the series, "The Perfect Murder," and a live performance for Netflix's "The Haunting of Hill House."
A passionate storyteller, Zannou has written several screenplays, short films and pilots. Her latest personal project, "Couples Therapy," a pilot episode she wrote, produced and starred in, was mentioned in IndieWire as part of SeriesFest's 2020 Official Selections and has gained esteemed recognition from multiple festivals such as Catalyst Stories Institute, Soho International Film Festival, and New Media Film Festival. Furthermore, Michaela was recently commissioned to write and direct the LGBTQ+ horror pilot, "Darkridge," which just finished filming in Austin, TX.
Meanwhile, her horror screenplay, "The Retreat", was a finalist in the LA-based "Shriekfest" Film Festival and was described as "a well-executed story, with nail biting moments and a clever twist" by the Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Competition. Finally, Michaela is currently (2022) in the development stages of her latest feature, "Touch Red," an LGBTQ+ romantic drama that takes place in Greece.
Michaela's voice can be described as grounded, witty, boundary-pushing, and centered around the LGBTQ+ community and the immigrant experience. An advocate for female empowerment and women supporting women, Zannou is a member of the New York Women In Film & TV organization as well as the LA-based Women In Film.
To learn more about her, check out her website: www.michaelazannou.com, and follow her on Twitter/ FB/ IG: @MichaelaZannou.
