The Chatham Arts Council is investing in artists through our Meet This Artist series, introducing you to 12 Chatham County artists each year in a big way. The fine folks at Hobbs Architects in downtown Pittsboro are powering our Meet This Artist series this year. Architecture is art, and the Hobbs crew values art in our community. So, take a look. Meet your very inspiring neighbors.
Makani McKenzie is a powerhouse of talent and ambition—a professional actor, singer, and entrepreneur whose creative spark lit up at the age of seven and has only grown brighter since. From performing in over two dozen productions before graduating high school to building a thriving party princess business and styling wigs for stage productions, Makani has carved out a multidimensional career rooted in performance, play, and self-expression. In this interview, she shares her journey from children’s theater to Dollywood, talks character creation, improv, horror movies, and her dream of performing overseas—all while running multiple creative ventures with grit and heart.
At what point when you were growing up did you realize you were a creative person?
I started in theater when I was seven years old. My brother was in a children’s theater production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I saw him in the show and I looked at my mom and said, “I want to do that too!” So the next year, she signed me up for the same camp. I was in 101 Dalmatians. I played Jasper. The clothes did not fit me, but that’s when I decided that’s what I wanted to do.
Did you continue with theater in high school?
By the time I graduated, I had been in 29 different stage productions. While I was in school, I also started my princess business, doing parties every weekend. Because I was in school, I couldn’t really do them during the week unless it was after school. So I was doing two or three parties every weekend. In between, I tried to do at least four shows a year. I was pretty active during that time.
I still sometimes feel like I’m new in the business. I’ve been doing this since I was seven, and I still feel like I’m learning things.
In addition to traditional theater and your business, you’ve worked in theme parks as well. Did that help you hone your skills with interactive theater?
I was hired at Dollywood as my first job at 18. I worked there for four years. I never went to college, so I always called it the College of Dollywood. I already knew about performing and I was very good at character work, so that wasn’t a problem for me. What I had to learn was how to interact with park guests and navigate coworkers. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, to make sure I was getting the right pay and the right treatment in whatever job I was doing. It was a great experience to work in a professional environment and learn how everything interlocks.
After Dollywood, I worked at Carowinds during two of their SCarowinds Halloween seasons. I’ve done a summer at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, and this past Christmas I worked at the World Equestrian Center on a contract with JM Entertainment.
Talk to me about the differences between acting on a stage versus improvising “on street” with guests.
I’ve had this conversation with people who have only ever performed on stage. Some jump into character work and are like, “Please get me out of this—I can’t do it.” I think it’s definitely a skill you have to build. Improv is not for the weak of heart.
When you’re out there as your character, you need to know exactly who they are so you can fully embody them. For certain roles, you’ll be given a handbook that tells you who your character is—their personality, likes and dislikes, etc. Then it’s up to you to read that and fill out the rest.
Anytime I get a character, I always write a full book on them. Who is this character? What’s their background? How would they react to this or that question? What foods do they like? What color do they like?
Because any park guest could ask you anything. I had some really weird questions asked of me! I had to either have a ready answer or come up with one on the fly. If you know your character inside and out, you’ll have a much easier time.
When someone is playing an original character, there’s a lot of creative work needed to bring them to life.
In my opinion, it’s easier to play established characters, but I enjoy creating new ones too. I mean, they’re all fun. Every character has got something fun about them.
What has been your favorite role so far?
Out of the things I’ve done professionally, there was a show at Carowinds I was in last year called Wake the Dead. That show was a blast and a half! I always say it’s my favorite contract I’ve ever worked. It was a murder mystery musical where the murderer is chosen by audience applause at the end of the show.
I got picked a lot. I played the jealous wife, and I got to be very, very mean. It’s always fun when you get to play characters who are a little mean.
So you sing as well?
Yes, singing is probably the best skill I have. My voice has changed over the years, but I have a broad repertoire—everything from Golden Age Broadway to pop and rock.
What lights you up? What inspires you?
I love horror movies. Horror movies are one of my favorite things in the world.
What’s your favorite horror movie?
My favorite horror movie is John Carpenter’s The Thing from 1982.
Nice! I mean—gross, but nice.
Well, I love the artistry behind it.
The special effects? Absolutely.
Exactly. I love all those horror movies from the ’70s and ’80s for the special effects. It’s nice to see newer movies with detailed CGI—it looks great—but I miss the old practical effects. It all just felt so tangible.
My brother and I both love horror movies. He’s a special effects artist, so we’ll watch together and talk about how to make this or that effect. We love watching the goopy, gross things. We want to make goopy, gross things ourselves!
You seem to wear a lot of creative hats.
When you’re in this business, picking up different skills is a money-saver—and sometimes another stream of income. Wig styling is one of my artistic trades. I’ll restyle or create wigs for cosplay clients, and I styled wigs professionally for shows when I worked at SCarowinds.
I’m also working on improving my makeup—both glam and special effects. The more things you can do, the more marketable you’ll be. So I’m always trying to pick up as many skills as possible.
Where do you see yourself in the future? What would your ideal path in the arts look like?
I’m hoping to either go on a national tour of a show or work overseas. I’ve gotten a lot of callbacks and interviews for Universal Japan and Beijing. Working in Japan is one of my biggest dreams.
Where can folks keep up to date with you and your projects?
I’m still doing princess party events! You can find me at Practically Perfect Parties by Makani Events on Facebook and Instagram. If you need a party, let me know—I’ve got over 60 different characters.
I also have a crochet business called Yarn of Yore, also on Facebook and Instagram. I make lots of little quirky, goofy projects.
I don’t have a public site for my wig work, but if anyone contacts me, I’m happy to give them a quote or send a portfolio of past work.
It’s so great to read about an ambitious, hard-working, creative young person. Go Makani, go!