By: Jaxon Lee 

Los Angeles, CA — Classically trained pianist-turned-actress Natasha Mikha has developed a career marked by transformation, emotional depth, and international appeal. From performing at Moscow’s historic Lenkom Theatre to launching her own production company in Los Angeles, her path blends tradition with innovation — and art with courage.

Q: Natasha, your artistic story began with music. How did it all start?

I began studying piano at age seven and continued until I was seventeen at a professional music school in Saint Petersburg. My mother dreamed I would become a pianist, and for ten years, I lived surrounded by Rachmaninov and Bach. But life had a different plan.

My mother’s friend, a professional singer, once suggested that I audition for a theatre institute. At that time, I had no idea what acting really was. I was working as a model to earn extra money and thought acting was something similar. He warned me that I had only two months to prepare — while most students trained for years — and that I probably wouldn’t pass, but it would be an interesting experience. He was preparing his daughter for the same exams for a year, yet I was the one who passed. That moment changed everything.

Q: You left music and modeling to pursue acting — what was that transition like?

It was a leap of faith. I gave up my musical studies, modeling, and even an invitation to Milan to study acting full-time. I trained for four years in a conservatory program based on the Stanislavsky method, which became the foundation of my craft.

Those years were incredibly intense — we practically lived at the Theatre Institute. It was a world of endless rehearsals, voice lessons, and movement classes. I was almost ready to quit at the beginning; it felt overwhelming both physically and emotionally. But my favorite acting teachers, Professor Aleksander Kunitsyn and Galina Barysheva, believed in me when I doubted myself. Their guidance and faith helped me stay, grow, and discover my true artistic voice — and I will always be deeply grateful to them. Those years were among the happiest of my life.

While still at university, I already knew I wanted to work at my two favorite theatres — Roman Viktyuk Theatre and Lenkom Theatre — and after graduation, I was invited to both. I began at the Roman Viktyuk Theatre as the lead actress in My Wife’s Name Is Morris after just ten days of rehearsals. Working with Roman Viktyuk, one of the most visionary Russian directors, was extraordinary. Then came Lenkom Theatre and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Eclipse), which later won the Golden Mask People’s Choice Award.

Q: You also started working in film around that time. What were those first experiences like?

One of my first films was Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, a television feature directed by the iconic Evgeniy Tatarskiy. I worked alongside celebrated Russian actors Sergey Zhigunov and Donatas Banionis, and it was an unforgettable learning experience.

Soon after, I collaborated with another legendary director, Vladimir Bortko, on The Idiot, one of Russia’s most famous television series, watched by nearly 40 million viewers. I also appeared in The Master and Margarita. Both productions received the Golden Eagle Award, Russia’s national television award — an analogue of the American Golden Globe — honoring excellence in film and television.

Q: What inspired your move to Los Angeles?

I always dreamed of exploring international cinema and connecting with artists from around the world. For a while, I divided my time between performing at Lenkom Theatre in Moscow and studying at the New York Film Academy. I remember flying to Moscow and going straight from the airport to the theatre for a performance. It was exciting but exhausting — and finally, I had to make a choice. I decided to move to Los Angeles and begin a new creative chapter in my life.

Q: What was your first artistic step after arriving in Los Angeles?

When I moved to L.A., I missed the energy of live performance. I started writing again and soon created a comedy monologue based on my real-life stories. I auditioned at The Comedy Château, and to my surprise, I was performing on stage that same night! That’s how my comedy journey began — completely spontaneous and full of adrenaline.

The monologue later inspired me to write my first short film script and to establish my own production company, Natasha Mikha Entertainment, so I could bring my original ideas to life.

Q: Tell us about your company’s mission and creative focus.

At Natasha Mikha Entertainment, our mission is to turn imagination into reality.

We believe in the power of bold, beautiful, sometimes impossible-seeming dreams — and we bring them to life through storytelling that is fearless, emotionally honest, and deeply compassionate. Our goal is not only to entertain but also to make people think and reflect. Through the creative, transformative power of art, we strive to reconnect people — to themselves, to one another, and to the world — in a time when disconnection feels too easy.

Q: You’re also developing a solo musical performance about Marilyn Monroe. Can you share more about it?

It is a theatre project produced by my company, Natasha Mikha Entertainment. For a while, I had a strong feeling to create a show about her — I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s almost mystical, but I just knew I had to create a piece where we could see another Marilyn — vulnerable, touching, sophisticated, with a deep soul, desperately wanting acceptance as an actress and a human being.

The world premiere will take place on November 15 at the Santa Monica Playhouse during the BFF Theatre Festival.After the premiere, I plan to tour the production across U.S. cities and internationally, sharing this deeply emotional and artistic project with audiences around the world.

Q: You’re also producing your first short film. What can you tell us about that project?

Another project currently being developed under my company is my first short film, Natasha from Russia. I wrote it myself — which still sounds a little strange, considering I had never written anything before moving to L.A. I think it’s because Los Angeles is such a creative city; it truly inspired me.

The music for the film I also composed and recorded — including my original song My Love Will Come to Me. In this short film, I appear as the lead actress, exploring cross-cultural identity and resilience through a story that blends humor, drama, and self-reflection.

The shooting is scheduled for January, followed by submissions to major U.S. and international short film festivals, including those in Los Angeles and New York. These platforms will introduce Natasha from Russia and Natasha Mikha Entertainment to a broader professional audience.

Q: You attended the Venice Film Festival last year as an industry professional. What did that experience mean to you?

It was an unforgettable experience. Being part of the Venice Film Festival gave me valuable insights into international cinema and the latest trends in storytelling. It was inspiring to see how global film culture evolves and to connect with filmmakers from all over the world.

Ideally, I want to create international co-productions, combining the creative depth of European storytelling with the energy and innovation of American cinema. My goal is to produce projects that bridge cultures and bring together audiences across borders.

Q: What continues to inspire you as an artist today?

Transformation and truth. My journey — from playing piano in Saint Petersburg to acting on Russia’s biggest stages and now creating in Los Angeles — taught me that art has no borders. Every story, every role, is a way to explore humanity and connect hearts.

“Everything I do — whether acting, writing, or singing — comes from a deep love of storytelling,” Natasha says. “Art isn’t about fame or categories; it’s about emotion — the empathy and honesty that make us human. We don’t just create stories — we create possibilities.”

From Moscow’s grand stages to Los Angeles’ creative frontier, Natasha continues to redefine what it means to be an artist unafraid of change. Her journey reflects a rare blend of discipline and vulnerability, tradition and innovation — a testament to the belief that true art transcends borders and expectations. With her upcoming projects on stage and screen, Natasha stands as a vivid example of how courage and imagination can transform not only a career but also the way we see the world.