Michelle Federer

Michelle Federer (born December 5, 1973) is an American theatre and film actress. Federer is the daughter of John and Claudia Federer. She grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio where she was a student of the Shaker Theatre Arts Department, and she gained early experience working under the direction of Carol Pribble in the critically acclaimed University School Theater Program, where she first worked and became friends with future Wicked castmate Michae... more

Michelle Federer (born December 5, 1973) is an American theatre and film actress. Federer is the daughter of John and Claudia Federer. She grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio where she was a student of the Shaker Theatre Arts Department, and she gained early experience working under the direction of Carol Pribble in the critically acclaimed University School Theater Program, where she first worked and became friends with future Wicked castmate Michael Seelbach. Federer's father John was a math teacher in the Shaker Heights Public School System teaching at Byron Junior High School (now Shaker Heights Middle School). As a teen, Michelle attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York. In 1995, Michelle graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Her Broadway debut was made in 2003 as Nessarose, the character she originated, in Stephen Schwartz's musical, Wicked. Michelle, who was the longest-remaining member of the original principals, left the... less