About

Michelle “Midge” Lema is a writer, performer, producer, on-camera host, and founder of Lemabean Productions.

Lema earned a degree in theatre at the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts, and spent a summer studying Shakespeare at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England.

Lema worked with Disney for over a decade, most recently as Manager of Creative Brand & Development, overseeing content development for Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Disney+ digital and social platforms. She was previously the editor and head writer for Disney News and Oh My Disney, as well as head writer and host of The Oh My Disney Show. She managed editorial calendars and writing staff, oversaw content strategy, and wrote countless articles and scripts. She also appeared on-camera interviewing Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel Studios talent at press events, red carpet premieres, in-studio interviews, and the Oscars. Lema and the team she worked with earned multiple Webby Awards and Shorty Awards.

Lema has written, directed, produced, and performed in numerous plays including productions in Los Angeles (REDCAT Theatre, Hollywood Fringe Festival, Open Fist Theatre), Scotland (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Germany (International Shakespeare Festival), and Australia (Fringe World Festival). She first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a high school student. She later joined a professional theatre company, This Bridge Theatre, and performed in four shows in rotation at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of which she co-directed and one of which she co-wrote. In the Los Angeles theatre scene, Lema was a member of the Open Fist Theatre Company for many years, taking on numerous directing and performance roles, as well as serving as Fundraising Director.

Lema also writes screenplays, specializing in the sci-fi and comedy genres. In 2024, her sci-fi comedy television pilot script Space Correspondent! was a Quarterfinalist in the ScreenCraft Comedy competition, a Semi-Finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Action & Adventure competition, and a Semi-Finalist in the Filmmatic Sci-Fi & Fantasy competition. Her very first play, which she co-wrote as a teenager, was originally titled Shakespeare Made Easy and is now called Shakespeare for Kids. The play was published and has been performed by students throughout the U.S. and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Currently based in Los Angeles, Lema occasionally writes entertainment coverage for the popular media brand The Everygirl, which reaches millions of women around the globe. She also produces and hosts the ongoing live show Space Stories: Open Mic Night and has appeared in the live sketch comedy show This Week This Week.

Lema originally wrote and produced her solo show, Bean, in 2011, which was awarded Best of Hollywood Fringe and called one of the “top ten shows not to miss” at Fringe World Festival by the West Australian in 2012. She went on to produce her second solo show in 2015. Her newest solo show, Bean vs. The Robots: A Solo Show Musical, is currently in workshop performances and will be debuting at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this year.