ELLIE DESAUTELS made their acting debut in NBC's drama series "Rise," in the role of Michael Hallowell. From Jason Katims, executive producer and showrunner of "Friday Night Lights" and "Parenthood," and "Hamilton" producer Jeffrey Seller, "Rise" is about a group of high school students and the theater director who inspires them to put on a controversial and ground-breaking musical. Michael is a transgender student who finds acceptance in the theatre program, while navigating friendship and love alongside his peers. Desautels is a non-binary actor who uses they/them pronouns. They hail from Shelton, CT and currently reside in New York.