Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Dayne
Hi Allison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the arts began in the small town of Eagle, ID, where an insatiable passion for film and theater took root. Yes, I do know a lot about potatoes.
Thankfully, my parents recognized and nurtured my creative spirit from an early age. I earned my BFA in Performance from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT, and was later invited to pursue an MFA in Performing and Writing at Savannah College of Art & Design.
I moved from Atlanta, GA in February 2024 and took the leap to West Hollywood.
One of the pivotal moments in my career was attending the Second City Comedy Studies Program. There, I learned the power of humor, collaboration, and boldness in storytelling—lessons that continue to guide my work. Over the years, I’ve written and directed a feature film, MADLY, now available on Amazon and other streaming platforms, and I had the honor of presenting a TED Talk on my original theory of comedy. (There’s nothing like a mathematical equation of comedy to spark curiosity!)
I’m incredibly proud of A King’s Curtain, a short film I co-wrote with director Grant Johnson, in which I star alongside the legendary Stephen McKinley Henderson, Austin Pendleton, Veanne Cox, and Charles E. Gerber. As our team prepares for the film festival circuit, we’re already envisioning our next projects.
Motion capture performance is another area I’m deeply passionate about, where imagination knows no bounds. Collaborating with Seth MacFarlane’s production company, Fuzzy Door, I’ve had the privilege of showcasing its cutting-edge technology, ViewScreen, at CineGear and the Directors Guild of America Digital Day.
My creative journey has been marked by diverse opportunities.
I directed Bloody Mary, an original musical by Maria Wirries, at the iconic 54 Below in New York City, and helmed Silverwork, a web series inspired by Sara J. Maas’s A Court of Silver Flames. I even stepped into the role of a Viking warrior in Braden McClain’s The Lost Ones, a short film paying homage to Ninja Theory’s video game Hellblade.
My dedication to growth has extended to comedy as well, where I’ve advanced to Level 3 at both Groundlings and UCB, thanks to scholarships.
I’m deeply grateful for every step of the path and can’t wait to see where it leads next.
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?
The road has definitely had its bumps, and one of the most defining moments came when I was hit by a semi-truck in Atlanta, GA, the same week I received a diagnosis of a blood disorder. Before that, I had been passionately directing under my production company, Leading Ladies, where I focused on putting women on stage and in films. The proceeds from these projects went to the Domestic Violence Coalition, Suicide Hotline, and Rape Recovery Centers. But when I was hit by that truck, it felt exactly like that—being hit by a truck.
I was in the hospital and placed in complex concussion therapy. I had to re-learn how to walk, talk and gain emotional presence.
I remember dramatically crying to my doctor, saying, “You don’t get it! I’m supposed to be an actor!” My doctor, who was patting my head, which was protected by a concussion helmet, calmly responded, “Then you better dig deep and force your brain to get better.” And so I did.
That moment taught me resilience, and it’s why I’m okay with the rejections that come in this industry. I’ve survived worse, and I’m committed to continuing to create my own opportunities—whether for myself or for my friends—until I can’t anymore.
This experience also sparked my TED Talk on the theory of comedy, which became a way to process that challenging time with humor. From there, I began developing a one-woman show, which will be debuting in LA this year. This show will also be filmed as part of my larger goal to create a limited series on the medical industry and mental health, infused with comedy.
Though the road hasn’t been smooth, every challenge has only deepened my strength and drive to keep going, no matter the obstacles.
I think that’s my biggest advice for artists in this city and industry – keep going, make friends and if you’re ever hit by a semi-truck be sure to get right back up.
After all; the best stories have plot-twists.
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 understand that most people reading this would say, “You can’t be all these things! You are spreading yourself thin!” and to that, I’d respond: “Show me a clear path in this industry today, and I’ll show you a unicorn playing limbo with a leprechaun to prove a point.”
I’m an actor, director, and writer—each of these roles fuels my creative drive and allows me to approach art from different angles.
What sets me apart is my unwavering ambition and my deep belief that if someone is willing to put in the work, I’m there to support their vision.
I don’t give up, and I bring that determination to everything I do. As a director, I prioritize creating a safe, collaborative environment where my actors feel heard and supported, because I believe the best work happens when people can be truly present in their craft.
I specialize in classics and love reimagining them for modern audiences. For example, my feature film MADLY is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, made specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, which brings a contemporary twist to Chekhov’s timeless themes.
I also created Unrequited, a two-person play that weaves together every Anton Chekhov play into a cohesive love story. It won Critics Choice Award in the Atlanta Fringe Festival. I’m currently working on a new play that Rhoxon Productions in Erie, PA, will produce this year.
The road is never easy, but I’ve learned that persistence and creativity can open doors even when they seem closed.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What a lovely question. I would probably say that what matters most to me is community. I can’t control where my art ends up, who sees it, or how this entire story unfolds. But what I can control is how people are treated on my sets, in my presence, and the kind of impact I leave on my community. I believe in creating spaces where people feel safe, heard, and valued. The relationships I build and the environment I foster are at the heart of everything I do—because that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5938550/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisondayne/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YER-X2QTfOY
- Other: https://www.allisondayne.com
Image Credits
Chris Knight – Headshot
