Today we’d like to introduce you to Macy Jahoda.
Hi Macy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I fell in love with the arts when I was nine years old, watching Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal video. It was pure magic. I studied every move until I had it down, then performed my own version—closet costume and all—for my family. They were blown away. That moment turned into a full-on neighborhood tour. Watching people light up told me everything I needed to know: this was it.
By age ten, we were searching for ways I could train. I found a local performing arts program, auditioned using—you guessed it—those same Smooth Criminal moves, and got in. I stayed for four years, learning everything from acting and dance to stage production. I loved every part of it, but dance had my heart. Being on stage felt like home.
At 19, I launched my first production company, MTB (Mace The Brand), to collaborate with other dancers and create original work. We performed at local venues, opened concerts, and produced promo videos with an artistic edge. It was exciting, but running a business while trying to create started to feel like two full-time jobs. So I made a choice: I wanted to be an artist first.
From there, I threw myself into the craft. I took acting classes while waiting to return to college, and once back, I studied dance, writing, film, and theatre. Performing in plays and learning the technical side of acting gave me a whole new respect for storytelling.
During my final semester, I wrote ALMOST a Star. It was inspired by a short dance clip I saw on YouTube, and I started building a story around a creative dance scene that wouldn’t leave my head. My professors and peers loved the concept, so I decided to make it real. I reached out to my creative community—dancers, actors, filmmakers—and the response was overwhelming. Turns out, the people I was searching for were also looking for me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Filmmaking itself was the challenge. With Almost a Star, I didn’t have a roadmap or a mentor to guide me—I was figuring everything out as I went. It was a build-it-while-you-fly kind of journey.
I wore just about every hat: **writer, actor, dancer, producer, casting director, budget manager, marketer—**and I had to assemble a crew I could trust to bring this vision to life within the budget I had. Balancing the creative side with the logistical side was intense, especially as a first-time filmmaker.
But I believed in the story. Whether it flopped or flew, I needed to see it through. And even in the toughest moments, I found myself surrounded by people who believed in the project too. Every obstacle became a lesson—and every lesson brought me one step closer to making something real.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a creative through and through—an actor, dancer, writer, and producer. But at the heart of it, I’m a storyteller. Whether I’m performing on stage, developing a character on screen, or crafting a script, I love bringing life and love into every space I enter.
My work lives at the intersection of movement and emotion. I use dance and performance as tools to communicate stories that are raw, vibrant, and deeply human. I’m especially drawn to creating work that makes people feel seen or inspired. I’ve worn many hats to make that happen—from acting and choreographing, to writing scripts, producing an independent film, and even running my own production company.
What I do might look different from project to project, but the mission is always the same: to create meaningful art that connects.
What are you most proud of?
Right now, I’m most proud of Almost a Star—my first short film, and the first time I truly put all of myself into one project. I wrote it, produced it, acted in it, danced in it—and somehow, it came to life exactly the way I imagined in my head.
Seeing that film premiere to a sold-out crowd, knowing what it took to get there with no blueprint… it’s something I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just about the film itself—it was about proving to myself that I could do it. That I could dream it, build it, and share it with the world. That’s what makes me proud.
What set you apart from others?
I think what sets me apart is my unshakable belief in my art—and my ability to keep going, even when the path isn’t clear. I don’t wait for permission or perfect conditions. If I feel something deeply enough to create it, I’ll find a way to bring it to life.
I’ve learned to trust the process, even when it’s messy or uncertain. I stay resilient, I stay curious, and I finish what I start. That mix of heart, hustle, and follow-through is what drives everything I do.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is learning, spreading love, and creating spaces where people can feel seen and inspired. With everything going on in the world, I think joy is more powerful than we give it credit for. So, when I can use my creativity to bring people together—even just for a moment of connection or release—it means everything to me.
Collaboration is where the magic happens. I love learning from others, exchanging energy, and watching something beautiful unfold when everyone brings their unique gifts to the table. That kind of creative synergy keeps me going—and keeps me grounded in why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Almost.A.Star and @maceforsure
