It's funny to think back on how all this started, and to try to share my journey, here goes...

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I was painfully shy growing up, which anyone who knows me now finds hard to believe!  And was extremely body conscious as I got older.  I remember vividly, in 7th grade, trying to talk myself out of taking everything so personally, it was something I had to work hard to overcome, and still have my moments.  

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I got the message, from my friends, that I was an entertaining story teller.  No matter the content, even painful, I coult tell it with a comic flair.  But, I did not pursue performing.  That found me.  

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My best (HS) friend's Mom worked in theatre as a stage manager and after college, when I was staying with her, she asked me to join in a show they were doing.  'What?!  What do you want me to do?'  They simply wanted me to dress up and walk back and forth with a title card announcing each act.  'Um, okay, I guess I can do that?'  But it didn't end there, the artistic director asked if I would be interested in performing in a skit.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but agreed to play Nurse Applebaum in "So Proudly We Heal" ripped from The Carol Burnett Show - whom I adored!  My character feigned frustration with the doctor for not being able to remember my name.  To which he would exclaim, "The apples I remember; it's the name I forget." The audience erupted with laughter.  It was the first time I enjoyed attention to my figure.  I would pivot on my heels each night and storm off stage - giddy and wanting more.  Only a few plays later I knew I had found my calling.  I inquried where to study(?) auditioned and was accepted into The Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York City.

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And though I was from New York I was never a fan of the cold weather.  I had grown quite fond of my Florida lifestyle, so as soon as I could I put a plan together with my best (college) friend we moved out West, got an adorable cottage in LaJolla, CA 2 blocks from the beach (not too shabby a place to start) and I was soon navigating my way up to LA.  Moved in with a fellow New Yorker and religiously studied the trade papers out by the pool, submitting first thing every Thursday for roles I thought I could  play.  I sought out a theater companies, and was soon back on stage.  My roomie brought me to the set of N.Y.P.D. Blue where and I obtained my SAG card within two weeks.  He also introduced me to his manager whose company I wound up running in two short months - sending out her roster of actors, which I was now on.  I would call and pitch everyone.  It was fun to get us all going.  But it was not fun to find each week that her checks bounced.  So, with the encouragement of the other actors she repped I opened my own management company by month six and worked for (no more than 10 actors at a time) for years.  I was making some great impressions on the casting industry and supporting my fellow thespians, but that figure of mine!  Marilyn Monroe had nothing on me, Dolly Parton a bit; in fact the mean girls in Jr High used to call me her sister.  And so it went, "Kylie was the best one we saw for this, a complete professional, but not physically right for the role." Ugh!  But I'm not a quitter!  

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As time went on and the feeback continued (in that vain) I found other ways in.  So, in addition to managing talent, I started working as a paid reader, casting assistant, and then the assistant to the head of domestic distribution at Miramax.  My boss would get almost as excited about my close calls as I did.  I stayed active in the theater, invited everyone I'd ever met to every show I starred in.  And when I started airing my frustrations about not booking TV & Film my  bosses suggested "introducing me" to Bob and/or Harvey. (Refer back to Marlyn Monroe) I said, "I may never make it in this industry, but it's not going to be like that."  I soon got a reputation for being a goodie-two-shoes.  Ha! 

 

I wish I was born into a different body, but I'm grateful now (some 20 years later) that my career didn't take off full speed ahead, because I know I could not have handled it.  "Rejection is God's Protection" as I needed to do some serious work on myself, so again I would not wind up like Marilyn.  I am crystal clear that's where I was headed.  I turned down the Weinsteins and erotic thrillers, but was not immuned to falling for the wrong guys.  The one thing I got right is my my career - I completely committed, dedicated, and believe in my abilities.  I've had a lot of lucrative offers to stray: a starting six-figure agent position, show runner at USA, producer, director, marketing for a studio, expand my workshop company... but turned them all down.  Much like my first paying gig as a bride - I remain faithful to acting.  I'm grateful for the accolades, awards, encouragement, and respect I've been shown for so many of my efforts.  I found my extended family in my peers and I love what I do - be it a 10 minute audition, a two hour performance on stage, weeks or months on set - I'm committed!

 

Years later (at the exact right time) I was able to get 'work' done (pro bono) removing what I found impossible to navigate in the industry and personally.  I have a normal body now and am comfortable in my skin.  I went from a size 8-10 to a size 2-4 overnight.  All the years I killed it in the gym paid off nicely as well; I began immediately working as a personal trainer part-time.  I'm fit into my 50's and am often told I look a lot younger.  I feel great - mind, body, and soul :D

 

There is so much more to my story and someday I hope to share more of it...  I've always been a writer and Covid got me back to it.  I'm currently working on outlining my life in the industry as a TV show. entitled "This is What It's Like" and another feature film taking a much needed closer look at addictions.  

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I hope you stay tuned...