We’re looking forward to introducing you to Carolyn Bridget Kennedy. Check out our conversation below.
Carolyn, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shape our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of all the work that goes into my acting career. Nobody sees or appreciates all the work an actor does behind the scenes. It is a unique occupation. You essentially are spending 99% of your time auditioning to get hired on set, so you can act (“the work”) 1% of your time.
Most people ask, “what have I seen you in?”, as though the only work an actor does is what shows up on screen. The real work is behind the scenes (pun intended) where an actor spends hours and hours and hours training, preparing for countless auditions, and then auditioning.
For training: You don’t just take a course and then say “I’m good. Maybe I’ll take another one next year if I feel like it”. Living in LA I learned that serious actors are constantly training to keep their “actor tools” sharp and because it’s the love of their life. You need dramatic training, scene study, character work, improv training, dialect training, etc. I know of actors who continue to attend classes and put up scenes, while they are in the midst of shooting as a series regular during the week.
For auditioning: Hours go into each one. Learning lines is the obvious task. But, doing scene analysis and trying out different character choices takes even more time. To help in your search for your character you spend time playing with wardrobe, maybe add an accessory, or do your hair or makeup differently – anything to help you along the way.
Aside from the “acting”, there is also the “admin work” of an actor. This means constantly maintaining and updating your materials (headshots; resume; reels; clips) and then updating all those things on casting sites, IMDb, and your website. It includes attending networking events, workshops with casting directors, sending out emails to keep in touch with casting professionals and filmmakers, and yes, posting actively on social media.
So, every time you see an actor in film or on television saying just one line, it likely took them a lot of effort and training and countless auditions before they got that one “yes” and their one day to be on set doing the work they love.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
What makes me unique is that acting is not my first career. I worked as a paralegal for over 20 years before I took my first acting workshop – and loved it.
I heard that to be an actor you can’t expect to sit on your couch and wait for someone to discover you, especially in Canada. So, I started creating my own projects, shot them, and earned dozens of laurels from film festivals around the world. That work was key to obtaining a Visa to work in the US as an actor, writer, and producer. I thought the Visa could open me up to US auditions. But, my husband suggested I should go all in and move to LA. He posed the question: Which would be worse, sacrificing being together day-to-day (he remains in Canada) or being 85 years old one day and wondering “what if”? We didn’t want any regrets.
Once in LA, I auditioned for and was accepted into Advanced Scene Study at Beverly Hills Playhouse. Since then, I have trained as an actor with Larry Moss, Jason Alexander, Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad, Denise Woods, Sharon Chatten, Lesly Kahn, and Margie Haber.
I have also studied at every major improv school in LA. I completed the Second City Conservatory Program and the Upright Citizens Brigade program. And, most dear to me is The Groundlings, where I have completed Advanced Improv and Writing Lab, in their Performance Track, with an invitation to Advanced Writing Lab. Improv is great fun as its own pursuit. But, it’s tremendous for honing certain acting skills as well. More awaits.
Over time, I joined every major professional organization I could, including the Television Academy, SAG-AFTRA, Women in Film LA, Raindance Los Angeles, and Film Independent. I beat the bushes to find representation (which, in LA, is very challenging). I acquired a manager and theatrical, commercial and voiceover agents in LA, and an agent in Toronto.
It all isn’t easy, but it also feels as effortless as breathing.
My challenges are weirdly also my strengths. The majority of roles are geared toward a younger demographic. But, I rock in my demographic. My maturity is my “superpower” because I have a deep well of experience from which to draw. My LA representation says my “challenge” is that I’m not just a single marketable thing. In their words (not mine), they say I’m tall, regal, sexy, quirky, strong, and have great comedic chops. I think this is a superpower as well. I am easily cast as the salt of the earth character like the nice neighbor, friend, or mom – but, also, the elite pitbull lawyer, judge, detective, or doctor. And hey, if someone needs a cult leader or a ruthless killer, that’s in my wheelhouse too. With my dramatic and comedic training, I’ve been cast as everything from a shy eccentric lady who has pet rats to a paranoid neurotic kombucha drinking wife to a necromancer-hunting civil war sergeant to the judgmental “Karen”.
I am very excited about my latest two television credits, which include appearances on Season 4 of the Netflix award-winning TV series “The Umbrella Academy” and on Season 1 of ABC Studio’s TV comedy series “How To Die Alone”.
I appreciate you sharing that. Let’s talk about your life. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my husband Richard most influences how I see myself. When we met, I was still starting to explore acting. He encouraged me to go for it and not care what anyone else thinks. He says he always admires people who can make something out of nothing.
Richard is my biggest supporter and my partner in creativity. He is always by my side, even when we are in 2 different places because of work. His work keeps him in Canada, but he comes to LA as often as he can. He is my reader when I rehearse or tape my auditions. He is my writing partner, my cheerleader, my talker-off-of-ledges, my director of photography, my actor (or “victim” as he says) in some of my projects, and last but not least, he is my muse. (Yes, he “muses” me. I find him “musing”).
Do you remember a time when someone truly listened to you?
I have a number of world-renowned acting coaches that I train with, including Larry Moss, Jean-Louis Rodrigue, Kristof Konrad and Denise Woods. I trust their guidance. They draw from many years of experience and have worked with many other successful actors. I know they see the artist in me and have my best interests at heart.
For example, working with legendary acting coach Larry Moss has been life-changing. After every week of studying with him I have pages and pages of notes. Larry talks about being steadfast and focused on the work, because you can control so little in this business. He says, as an actor: “You will be discovered. You will be forgotten. You will be praised. You will be panned. You will be hired. You will be fired.” All of these things will likely happen to you throughout your career and you need to just keep on doing the work. And you need to be on fire for the work. Thanks to Larry, I am on fire for the work.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to my belief that this work is what I need to do to be fulfilled. I cannot bear the thought of never acting again. Doing the work is all you control – the result is not. An acting career is a journey, not a destination. So, the journey lasts forever.
I commit to the process of finding and creating characters and putting my best work out every time. I do my auditions as though I booked the job. And then I let it go. What is meant to be mine will be mine.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I am excited to work every day. Every audition that comes in fills me with anticipatory glee. What type of character do I get to play (even seeing their name in the breakdown description is fun)? Each audition is an opportunity to work and perform for someone. It’s a chance to “win the room” with the casting office (so they think of you later, even if you don’t get the role). And, of course, there’s a chance that they pick you over the vast number of others auditioning.
Then there is the exhilaration of getting pinned for a role, booking the job, or needing to travel all of a sudden. I once booked a role late in the afternoon and was on a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Toronto in just a few hours.
One highlight for me is being a lead in a multi-cam sitcom pilot that filmed in front of a live studio audience. The energy on set being in a room full of around 200 people (crew, cast, and audience included) creates such an incredible feedback loop of laughter.
Performing live sketch comedy or improv shows in theatres in Los Angeles is also thrilling. With improv, you never know what’s going to happen! Much like life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolynbridgetkennedy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynbkennedy
- Linkedin: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/carolynbridgetkennedy
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/carolynbkennedy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynbridgetkennedy
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/carolynbkennedy
- IMDb: www.imdb.me/carolynbridgetkennedy
Image Credits
Michael Roud
