Lauren Moffatt

I really owe that whole trip to Michelle (Japan). She contacted me to do Micro Magic over the summer, and made it work in spite of what most people would view as insurmountable difficulties with my schedule. Because of that I had the experience of being asked to go to Japan, as well. One of my favorite memories is picking up the phone and her asking me, "Do you want to march this summer?" and my response of, "Michelle!! You KNOW I aged out last year!"

Another funny memory I have, which I'm sure others will share, is of Michelle in 2000 at Crossmen when she was obsessed with South Park. She used to go around singing the Terrence & Phillip song all the time (you know the one..."Shut your #$!*ing face, Uncle #$!*er...."). One day, when we were rehearsing in the middle of nowhere, she sang it over the loudspeaker for us all to hear. Talk about getting us through the day with laughter! That was

Michelle - making us all smile.

In 2012 my husband, John Burns, & I ran into her at our last rehearsal before WGI Finals. Our team, Impact, was sharing a rehearsal space with Salem Blue. We chatted for a few minutes, and we were telling her how much we liked Salem Blue's show. Then I was blown away with the fact that she started complimenting OUR little team. She told us how earlier in the season she had told Jeff to check us out via video, that we were really good....and only later discovered that it was US teaching them. Since both John & I had been taught by her and have the utmost respect for her, that really hit home for us.

My most recent in-person chat was last year at Finals. Among other things she told us how she got to be a massage therapist for a celebrity in town - but wasn't told who. Then he walked into the room and said, "Hi, I'm Robert." ROBERT DOWNEY, JR.!!!! How she didn't fangirl out I'll never know, but I have this image of Michelle with a smile frozen on her face, sticking out her hand calmly saying, "Nice to meet you, Robert," - as she relayed the story. Again - always making us laugh.