/Mai-Kay-LUH/

it’s MY kayla, not YOUR kayla.

Tony award winning advocate.
NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNING ACTOR.

RECENT & UPCOMING

Sundance 2024 World Premiere Grace by Natalie Jasmine Harris

IN DEVELOPMENT: new series, The Bottoms, at HBO with Jon Bernthal and The Wire’s George Pelecanos

2023 NAACP Image Award WINNER for Dear Mama (Film Independent - SXSW) Directed by Winter Dunn - this marks my second NAACP Image Award Nomination, and first win.

Management: Barney Slobodin at Rain LA
Seeking Agency Representation

UP NEXT and PREVIOUS WORK:

World Premiere FISH by Kia Corthron Off-Broadway Debut Keen Company and Working Theatre (March 2024)

Recent:
World Premiere The Salvagers by Harrison David Rivers directed by Mikael Burke at Yale Repertory Theatre

Workshop Production So, you’re just sitting with her while she bleeds? by Nia Akilah Robinson directed by Chesray Dolpha at The Hearth

Workshop Production SAFE in development with NYCLU directed by Jess McLeod

Workshop Production WET by Aurora Real de Asua directed by Taylor Reynolds

What Now: Unplugged and Arts in Action Festival (producer & facilitator)

Angry, Raucous, & Shamelessly Gorgeous by Pearl Cleage directed by Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates

Awarded Best Actor By The Centre Film Festival for my role as Tanisha in Dear Mama
Winner of an RTCC Award for Outstanding Breakout Performance by an Actor for my role as Zoe in The Niceties
Special Jury Mention Aspen Shortfest for Dear Mama
Cordillera International Film Festival 2022 Special Jury Award Nomination for John Singleton Impact Award
Dear Mama SXSW 2022 (World Premiere, Nomination for Grand Jury Award for Narrative Short)
BroadwayWorld Award Winner - Best Actor in a Play for my role of Zoe in The Niceties

World Premiere: The Great Khan at San Diego Repertory Theatre Feb-March 2022

role of Tunde Price in Academy Award winning film Warner Brothers’ King Richard

Feel free to check out a special mention in Entertainment Weekly’s Dec 2021 cover story or the Red Table Talk with Will Smith & the Williams family on Mikayla’s role in paying tribute to the late Tunde Price in King Richard

Special Tony Award 2020 for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition

Celeste in Pure HBO Short Film Award Finalist, American Black Film Festival, Newfest Filmaker Award Winner, Outfest, BFI Flare London and more.

Reimagining Equitable Productions x BAC
Lead Facilitator for Tina: The Musical, The Lion King, Aladdin, Frozen Tour, Company Broadway

The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess
The Conciliation Lab Directed by Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates October 2021

The Blckchelorettes with Vic & Mi
podcast released Jan 2021 (former)

Grace World Premiere at Sundance 2024 (pictured L-R Alexis Cofield (cast), Jordan Rayanna Wells (cast), Natalie Jasmine Harris (writer, director), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (executive producer), Mikayla Bartholomew (cast), CL Simpson (cast)