Now casting
Trace Macias
Software engineer with a former life onstage — traded lead roles in musicals for lead roles in codebases. Building AI-assisted tools at Cal Poly, one production at a time.
The Program
Two acts, one throughline
The Stage
Midway through high school, I left public school for an arts conservatory to chase musical theatre — singing, dancing, and acting alongside classmates who were relentlessly good at all three. Senior year, I landed a lead role in a show about an orphaned Ukrainian rapper who survives a rollercoaster accident. Three months of rehearsal taught me more about collaboration, commitment, and taking direction than almost anything since.
The Code
I didn't pursue the BFA — I went to Cal Poly for Computer Science instead. But the instinct carried over: I still want to show up prepared, contribute to the ensemble, and deliver something true to the people on the other side of the work. Now that means building AI-assisted tools, leading project teams, and shipping code with the same commitment I once gave a stage.
Currently
On the call sheet
Building
AI-assisted tools with Next.js, TypeScript, and OpenAI's APIs — most recently a government form assistant for underserved applicants.
Leading
Associate Director of Projects at CS+AI Cal Poly, coordinating 4–5 student AI/ML teams from kickoff to demo day.
Learning
Systems programming, data structures, and object-oriented design as part of Cal Poly's CS curriculum.