Norrlyn-Michael Allen

At the age of seven, Norrlyn-Michael Allen became invested in journaling, oratory, and theatre. It was when he participated in his first play at Wiley Elementary School that he recognized his oratorical abilities would lead him to a life of expression. Norrlyn-Michael Allen became thoroughly involved in community programs that developed discipline, emotional intelligence, and cross-cultural communication. Organizations such as Afro-Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO), Boy Scouts of America, Champaign-Urbana Optimist Club, Don Moyer’s Boys and Girls Club, Banks-Bridges-Lewis Fine Arts Academy (BBL), and Team Trouble (American Youth Basketball Tour) are a few of the organizations which aided his development.

​In 2014, Norrlyn-Michael Allen enrolled in Michigan State University where he served as an AIMS-B (ANR Institute for Multicultural Students-Bilingual) Peer Assistant, American Semester Program Ambassador, Intercultural Aide (Multi-Racial Ethnic Unity Experience), M.A.G.I.C. (Maximizing Academic Growth in College) Program Peer Assistant, MSU Sports Camp Coordinator, Multicultural Ethnic Unity Center Aide, Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions Aide , Restorative Justice Facilitator, Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Educator, TRiO Student Supportive Services Peer Mentor along with other campus-wide positions. Much of his experience was used to serve others as he was challenged by his grandmother, Barbara Gillespie-Washington, “To live a purpose-driven life.”
In 2019, Norrlyn-Michael Allen graduated from Michigan State University with dual-degrees in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and Residential College of Arts and Humanities (RCAH).  In 2021, he relocated to Long Beach, CA to pursue greater opportunities in higher education and film. Alongside being an actor and educator, Norrlyn-Michael Allen is also a poet-for-hire. In October,  he will be performing in Riverwalk Theatre’s “Fabulation or the Re-education of Undine.” While in Lansing, Norrlyn-Michael Allen is currently an educator for the seventh grade at North Elementary School in which he teaches English and reading. Norrlyn-Michael Allen is currently applying to grad schools nationwide in Film and Television, Marriage and Family Counseling, Social Work, and Storytelling. Norrlyn-Michael Allen is on track to publish his first book in the beginning of 2023, in which he considers it a “poetic memoir.” Norrlyn-Michael Allen attributes his faith as the motivating factor for utilizing his emotional expression to promote transparency amongst audiences and viewers across the nation as he honors his village of supporters for becoming who he is today.

Norrlyn-Michael Allen is grateful for this opportunity, and would ask that you consider speaking with him prior to leaving.