Today we’d like to introduce you to Kia Dorsey.
Hi Kia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! My name is Kia Dorsey and I am an actress. I’ve always been the entertainer of the family, so when I took my first official acting class in high school, I knew immediately that I wanted to pursue an acting career. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Oklahoma State University in 2016. After college, I worked as a high school theatre teacher and I was also the Education Coordinator for a community theatre in my hometown, working with students between the ages of 5-18 on a daily basis. On top of being a full time educator and running a theatre program, I was working in the film industry in the midwest/southern part of the country. Wanting to take my career to the next step, I decided during the pandemic that I would pack my bags and move to Los Angeles. And here we are!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been easy for sure, but it also hasn’t been as terrifying as I thought it would be. I think the hardest thing about being in the entertainment industry is the constant rejection. We are auditioning for projects on a daily basis and we only book a small fraction of the projects, so it can definitely be brutal on your mental health if you allow those rejections to get to you. But I have to remind myself that it isn’t because I’m not a talented actor, I’m just not the right fit for that specific role at that time. Luckily since I’ve been in LA, I have booked some amazing roles in a few films and commercials, so I know my hard work is paying off.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In addition to acting, I also write short films and direct theatrical productions. I’m very proud to call myself an actor/singer/dancer/director/writer. It’s a lot of hats to wear for sure, but in this industry it doesn’t hurt to learn how to do a little bit of everything.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, other artists inspire me to do my best. I do a lot of research on things that are happening in the industry by following my favorite artists on social media. I’m constantly reading/watching interviews from producers, showrunners, and actors to learn about their new projects. Sometimes they’ll give really great tips and tricks about what to do and what not to do in the industry, and I just absorb all of that information like a sponge. I also listen to the Sirius XM Broadway station daily because eventually I would love to have a contract with a show on Broadway or a touring production, so it’s nice to listen to stories from the NYC actors as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kiadorsey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiadsmileyface/
Image Credits
Skylar Hough Travis Edwards Trina Fowler
