Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Redmond
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Ventura County, CA and I remember a Shakespeare troupe came to our elementary school. After that it was game over. I felt something in my gut that told me I needed to be a performer. Whether it was performing in school plays, choir, staged readings, recitals–anything that I could get my parents to drive me to, I did it with gusto. Once it came time to go to graduate High School, in my mind there was no other option than to study theatre. I had the privilege of attending The University of Arizona to do just that. I met so many supportive and wonderful professors, performers, and professionals and am thankful for all the actual experience gained from my college years. After those four years of regional and school shows, student films, show tours, classes, and more, it was time to move back to CA and start my professional entertainment career. I’ve since worked as an actor in museums, theme parks, podcasts, Fringe Festivals, improv shows, regional plays and musicals, film, web series, television, cabarets, and have started my own production company “KELScabaret” where I host monthly cabarets and am now producing musicals.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve worked all kids of odd jobs and soul-sucking ones to keep “the dream” within reach. Survival jobs are exactly that: survival. I’ve tried and failed many times to find another line of work that could feed the very depths of my soul the way that acting does. Nothing comes close. I’ve been broke and completely happy because I was in shows. I’ve also had steady survival jobs where I was doing okay financially but it felt like I was dying inside because I wasn’t performing or hustling. It’s been a crazy road, but chasing this dream is my endgame. I will never give up. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to follow my gut. Early on, I put my trust in the wrong people that took advantage of my naïveté—I fell prey to fake managers, worked with creepy directors, and went to strange audition locations. To all new actors out there, take it from me: if it feels wrong, it is wrong. Those places and people aren’t worth it and nothing will come of it. I wasted a lot of time and money attempting to break into entertainment with folks who had no actual interest in me or my career. Do your research and trust your instincts. You’re not a number. You are a living, breathing, artist. Own it. Performers know that nothing good comes without a little bit or risk. But trust your instincts. Again: Does it feel wrong? Yes? It is wrong.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I sing, I act, AND! I…move! *wiggles eyebrows* I have a love for puppetry, quirky characters, and “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”
It has always been important to me to find a place where I can be myself and share my talents. I dreamed of creating a place where myself and fellow artists could share our skills, play, do what we’re born to do. With a deep love for cabaret, vaudeville, and variety shows, I created “OC Cabaret: Music, Art, Live!” in March 2022. The show was successful enough out the gate that we got the go-ahead to go up once a month in Tustin, CA. Special thanks to freinds Devin and Gina Dugan at ImprovCity–our OC venue! Over the past two years we’ve featured singers, musicians, actors, new works, Chinese Opera, puppeteers, magicians, regional show previews, and poets. The cabaret became such a hit with performers that I was booking shows out two to three months in advance. Fellow performer and friend Tj Punchard offered a space in the South Bay LA area for LA County shows and thus monthly “LA Cabaret” shows joined the docket in May 2023. Then the production company “KELScabaret” was born! Both cabaret shows have created a home for artists and I could not be more overjoyed at the community and networking opportunities that these shows have built. We have casting directors, agents, directors, choreographers, managers, and more attend, and it has even led to performers being signed and hired for other performance opportunities. What a dream come true! KELScabaret shows are a safe and supportive place for performing artists and that is the greatest realization and product of this dream.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I dream of a day where all artists encourage each other to be their truest and most creative selves. Relationships with safe people are the cornerstone for an empathetic humanity. May we all find our artistic families that encourage us and lift us up unlike anyone else. Fund the arts!
Pricing:
- Tickets for OC and LA Cabarets: pay what you can at the door–first come first served
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kelseyredmond.net
- Instagram: @kelsey_redmond_
Image Credits
Joanna DeGeneres
