Mikaela Stroud

Mikaela Shroud is a Kiwi-American performer with dual residency in the United States and New Zealand. Born in Seattle, they spent their childhood in Atlanta, Maryland, and central London before moving to Aotearoa. They hold a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Politics and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Auckland.

With a strong background in music and theatre, Mikaela is well-prepared for large-scale musical theatre productions and other performance opportunities. They are an accomplished jazz vocalist and songwriter, a soprano with an alto extension, with a singing range from F3 to C6 (2.5–3 octaves). They also bring intermediate jazz piano skills to live settings. They front three bands—Piece of Mind, Kaloula, and Oronym—as lead vocalist and lyricist, performing regularly at venues such as the Button Factory and Ding Dong Lounge in Auckland.

Alongside their music career, Mikaela is committed to acting for stage and screen. They have worked with director Ben Kilby-Henson and performed at leading venues including ASB Waterfront Theatre, Q Theatre, and The Factory Theatre. Their interests extend to voice acting, character work, Shakespeare, and directing, and they maintain a home recording studio for vocal and voice-over work, allowing them to deliver professional-quality recordings remotely.

Mikaela also brings a physical dimension to their performance skills, having trained in mixed martial arts for over 11 years. With extensive experience in Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and kickboxing, they are well-equipped for physically demanding roles and stunt-ready performance.