Having an innate love and passion for storytelling and having been born into a somewhat theatrical and dramatic family, populated with complicated and colorful characters (although they might not quite agree with this description), I most likely started acting the moment I was born. My first public performance, however, was at the age of three. I (quite convincingly, I believe) played an empress in a preschool skit. This experience thrilled and excited me – instilling within me the knowledge that acting, performing, and storytelling are part of the fire that lights up my soul. |
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My childhood was therefore filled with performances in various plays and musicals (including “Annie”, “The King and I”, “Oliver”, “The Wizard of Oz”), as well as the many puppet shows, sketches, mini-melodramas, musicals and variety shows that I cajoled my brother, sisters and friends into putting on for our parents, neighbors, and those clients of my dad’s that were fortunate enough to come to the house for dinner.
My very early inspiration came from such wonderful storytellers as Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, the Muppets, A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” and, of course, Linda Carter as “Wonder Woman” (Boy, did those Underoos solidify my belief in my powers on the playground!). Blessed to have the support of my parents in my passion, I found myself singing, dancing and acting whenever and wherever I could, including classes at San Francisco’s A.C.T. In high school, I added writing and directing to my storytelling skills.
At UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and TV, I was able to act, write, direct and produce – working in the Theater Underground on some of my favorite writers (Eugene O’Neill, Henrik Ibsen, Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, Anton Chekhov, Harold Pinter), in student films and with many noted directors, including Mel Shapiro (Tony Winner), Neil Jampolis (Tony Winner), Larry Arrick (Broadway), Ellen Geer (Theatricum Botanicum) and Nancy Keystone (CTG Award Winner).
I have been fortunate enough to work on “61*” with Billy Crystal and “K-PAX” with Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey as well as some independent films and pilots, including “Stone & Ed” and “Vampires: The Real Interview”. I’ve also performed in quite a few plays (including “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “Catch Me If You Can” in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire), taught acting classes (www.actingaware.com) and had plays produced (“Rockwell Falls”, “Cocktails & Leach Fields” and “The Bob House Murder”).
I am extremely grateful to be a working actor and writer – and am constantly employing my imagination and love of sharing story (and therefore humanity) in all that I do. In my spare time, I am a proud mentor in the Fulfillment Fund, and I do my best to practice yoga, jump on my trampoline, go to the beach, eat yummy food, read books, watch movies/tv, dance to music, see art and listen to the incredible stories of those around me every day!
Thanks for sharing this part of the journey with me.
With love and gratitude,
Kia