RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2023
Makena Metz
Makena Metz is an LA native who writes fantasy, sci-fi, and magical realism for the page, screen, and stage. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and MA in English from Chapman University’s dual degree program and was the winner of the 2023 James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Makena is a proud member of DGA, ASCAP, WIA, and the SCL. Recently, her short screenplay Eclipse was published with For Page and Screen Magazine, Issue 3, and she participated in #AWP23’s Writer to Agent Program. In 2022, Makena’s short script Grow was published with The Clockhouse Review Literary Magazine for Volume 9, her short story The Tea Shop was published with For Page and Screen Magazine Issue 2, and her monologue Reflection was published with WE:US Monologues for Gender Minority Characters Anthology. Additionally, her animated (half-hour) pilot Theo’s Grand Adventure placed #13 on The Red List on Coverfly. Last year, Makena’s song “Race Against Time” (co-written with Angela Parrish and Dan Povenmire) premiered in Episode 2: “Math Punch!” of Hamster & Gretel on Disney Channel. Makena was chosen as a mentee through MAESTRA music and also as an emerging artist NEXT Literary Fellow for The Braid Theatre Company. Makena is an alum of the Musical Theatre Writer’s Collective Program and New Musical Inc’s CORE Curriculum for Musical Theatre Writing. Find her work on Coverfly, NPX, and follow her @ makenametz on Tiktok, IG, FB, Twitter, and check out www.makenametz.com.
Learn More
After an extensive search and interview process, 20 individuals were invited to participate in the Virtual Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2023 Entertainment Lab taking place August 14 – September 21, 2023. This 6-week Lab aims to develop and elevate the talent pipeline of disabled entertainment professionals working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming, while connecting them with industry professionals and creatives. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, other disabilities, and multiple disabilities ranging in age from the 20s through the 50s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award and is made possible with support from The Harnisch Foundation and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust.
