Coming Full Circle

Not every teacher gets to experience a “full circle” moment – when they see the work and mentoring they pour into students come to fruition.  

For Middle School Theatre Director Rachel Mikhail, this March was a such moment as she watched her former student, Allie Chobanian, Class of 2023, play the lead – Shelby- in the Azusa Pacific University production “Steel Magnolias.”  

Attending Chobanian’s performance was the intersection of two pivotal moments in Mikhail’s life. In 1999, she was a theatre student at APU, playing Clairee, one of the leads in school’s original production of the show. The APU stage was where Mikhail discovered God’s call on her life. Watching Chobanian perform in the same show where she got her theatre start was an affirmation of God’s hand in shaping the next generation. 

“It was overwhelming to watch Allie tonight on the same stage where I took my first steps as an actor and director. APU is such a special place. I couldn’t help but cry tonight as the past and present collided. Watching Allie was delightful. It is not an experience every teacher gets. We often plant seeds we never see bloom, but tonight I got to watch Allie step into all the potential I saw in her as a student in my class,” Mikhail shared. 

What was even sweeter, she attended the play with her former alumnae who were in the original cast. They quoted the lines, laughed and smiled, experiencing the power of "Steel Magnolias" in a profoundly deeper way as mothers themselves 25 years later. 

Chobanian’s years at Oaks Christian School played a major role in shaping the actor and person she is today. Participating in high‑quality productions from sixth grade onward helped her understand every layer of storytelling and performance. Scene‑study classes with Bradley Gosnell prepared her for the rigor of college-level work as a theatre major at Azusa Pacific. Oaks Christian gave her confidence, strong foundational skills, and a sense of how to treat others with kindness and respect. Looking back, she sees that time as a safe space to grow—just the beginning of her journey. 

That’s why having her former teachers – Mikhail and High School Theatre Director Ros Allen-Enciso (Mama E) – in the audience meant so much to her. She grew up watching the shows they directed and dreamed of being part of them. 

“The fact that so many of my teachers, mentors, and friends were able to come see it and support me meant so much. I am so blessed to know that I will always have my Oaks family there to support and come alongside me," she said. 

Her connection with Mikhail formed naturally, built on patience, kindness, and the freedom to be authentically herself. Mikhail truly saw her and helped nurture not just her talent but her heart. Even after she moved on to high school and then to APU, their relationship continued—dinners, text messages, encouragement, advice, monologue help, and the ongoing reminder that she wasn’t walking this path alone. 

So, when Allie was cast as Shelby in “Steel Magnolias,” one of the first people she texted was Mikhail. 

“Mrs. Mikhail has had such a profound impact on my life as a Christian actor. She knows how to integrate faith into the classroom as well as inspire so many young actors.  I was so excited to share this with her. Then, knowing she was in the audience, I wanted to put on my best performance to make her proud,” Chobanian said. 

Opening night felt like a beautiful blur for Allie—an exhilarating mix of nerves, laughter, and pure joy. After countless rehearsals, late nights, and the steady, shared work of her cast, finally stepping onto the stage and hearing the audience respond with genuine laughter and warmth made every moment worth it. That first audience always feels special, she says, because they set the tone for the entire run. Surrounded by friends and family, taking that first bow in a show that meant so much to her was a moment she will carry for the rest of her life. 

For Mikhail, watching Allie on stage was overwhelming in the most beautiful way. She still remembers Allie as the little girl in the red bird costume in “Aladdin,” yet here she was—grown, polished, talented, and stepping confidently into her future.  

Together, their stories form a full-circle moment: a student inspired by her teacher, a teacher affirmed by her student, both connected by the transformative power of theatre and an enduring bond. 

Above: family, fellow alumni, and facutly and staff at Allie Chobanian's show.

Theatre photo above: Allie Chobanian, standing, with co-star Avery Marston, in Azusa Pacific's production of "Steel Magnolias." Photo courtesy of APU.