Meet Kelly Shea of The Collective Studio in Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Shea.

Kelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
From a very young age, my parents would take my siblings and I every year into the city to see a show for the holidays. From watching shows like “The King and I”, “Miss Saigon”, “The Producers”, and “Fosse” I grew to develop a passion for theatre. I decided to pursue that love at Emerson College graduating with a B.A. in Theatre Studies. The summer of my junior year I spent studying theatre in London with Tisch, which solidified my love and desire to be a part of the theatre world.

Moving to California in 2006, I started working for a television show called CSI: New York in post-production. Although I was a part of the artistic world, I was not feeling fulfilled creatively. In 2010, I started a company that would provide acting workshops to new artists as a way to give back to the community and give artists an opportunity to thrive. My company, The Collective Studio: Los Angeles grew to become a very “mom and pop” acting company that focused on the performers and their talent. But I still felt as though something was missing in my creative spirit. I approached my dear friend and fellow Emerson classmate Ashley Teague, who was working at Cornerstone Theatre Company at the time, and asked her to help me produce and direct “The Shadow Box” by Michael Christofer. As an advocate for social change and community service Ashley suggested I produce the play through my company and thus gave rise to our Theatrical Production Company.

I wanted to produce “The Shadow Box” as an outlet for creativity and an act of social engagement by partnering with a non-profit organization that was in line with the play’s theme. For our first production, we partnered with The Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and gave an opportunity to under privileged youth to be a part of a professional production produced under the Actors’ Equity 99 Seat Plan. All proceeds went to a charity close to my heart, The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation.

It is because of Ashley and my co-producer Caitlin Sharp I was able to take The Collective Studio: LA into the creative direction I desired. I believe that theatre and art has the power to make a difference. Since producing “The Shadow Box” my company has produced five productions and partnered with four charities. As a Non-profit organization, proceeds from all of our shows go to a charity thematically in line with our current production’s theme. We have grown into an amazing team of artists working together to change the world one show at a time. Because we believe, everyone deserves a chance to make a difference.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been easy producing five shows and fundraising for the arts and I have definitely seen some challenges along the way. As all productions have their trying moments, thankfully most of our obstacles we have overcome with dedication and persistence in our belief that theatre has the power to change. In the past we have struggled with fundraising for the charities we serve helping to cover costs of our productions while at the same time donating all proceeds. We hold our responsibility to our community with great pride and fierce dedication. When we first started we struggled to find audiences to see our amazing work but through the help of social media, fellow artists, Goldstar, The Tolucan Times, NohoArts.com, and VoyageLA we have been able to spread the word about our theatrical endeavors. We continue to work on fundraising and applying for artistic grants as we fear art may not be available to our future generations as part of their regular schooling, therefore it is our moral responsibility to keep it available and affordable to all members of our community.

Our next challenge is to help find a permanent theatrical home for The Collective Studio: Los Angeles. We love to create a warm welcoming space in every theater we rent, giving audiences the ultimate intimate theater experience, so we hope to find our own home to share!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Collective Studio: Los Angeles – what should we know?
The Collective Studio: LA originally began as a workshop company serving actors and creative talents. The Studio then expanded its services in the Fall of 2011, under the Actors Equity 99 Seat Plan, and began producing theatrical shows.

We produced the company’s first production as an outlet for creativity and an act of social engagement by partnering with non-profits that are in line with the play’s themes. In years’ past we have collaborated with The Boys and Girls Club and Rescue-A-Life Foundation by encouraging the organizations’ participants to perform or have in-put in the show’s direction. Additionally, the proceeds from the shows have all been donated to organizations such as: The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Peace Over Violence and Rescue-A-Life Foundation; to name a few. As a company we are most proud of the charities and local organizations we have partnered with and aided in drawing attention to those issues we face as a community. Change begins with one person believing in the power to make a difference and we hope that by coming to see our productions we can inspire audience members to be that change they want to see in this world.

The studio continues to host workshops selectively for actors allowing artists to grow creatively and network socially. As a Theatre Producer and Studio Teacher, I am passionate about making a difference. I use my art to do so. We want to shine a light on the ills that act as jutted, cobblestone paths for weary youth who deserve smoother sailing. Through the lens of writers like Kenneth Lonergan, Dennis Kelly, Steven Adly Guirgis and Lyle Kessler who “get it”, we’ll produce their work and we’ll do our best to continue to institute change in our social justice systems. Because everyone deserves a chance to make a difference.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Ashley Teague- current Artistic Director, she has directed two of our productions and is the reason The Collective Studio: Los Angeles has become a full theatrical production company. Her devotion to the arts and social change have made our theatrical experience one audiences members will not soon forget.

Caitlin Sharp-Co-Executive Producer, Caitlin has helped us create a warm Front of House experience for all of our audience members with impeccable organization and effectiveness to make each of our shows a success. Her fine touches and attention to detail have set our company and production experience apart from all the rest.

Devon Colbert-Co-Executive Producer, Devon has helped us fundraise and create successful productions that continue to thrive. Her hard work and dedication to producing makes her a key member of our continued growth.

Kelly Wilson-Head of Public Relations and Marketing- Kelly has recently joined our team and we do not know what we ever did without her! Her incredible marketing and social networking skills have helped put The Collective Studio: Los Angeles on the LA map.

Brad Carter-Brad is key in our past actor workshops. His talent and devotion to the studio gave The Collective Studio: LA the opportunity to help new artists follow their passion and support their growth as entertainers.

John Shea-Secretary- John has been key in our Non-Profit growth. This is our biggest success of the 2016 year and we are excited to have him on board.

Notable people to thank: John and Diane Shea, Lauren Shea, Ryan Braun and The Lyric Foundation, Vanna Kim, Christina Chauncey, Christina McSherry, Ky Soto, Lexi Graboski and ALL OF OUR DONORS PAST AND PRESENT.

Pricing:

• Pricing ranges on the duration of the run of the show and the cost to produce. We like to stay in the $20/seat range.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecollectivestudiola.com
• Phone: 818-308-4889
• Email: thecollectivestudiola@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCollectiveStudioLA
• Twitter: @TCSLA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-collective-studio-los-angeles-valley-village

Image Credit:
Headshots – Kevin Pazmino
The Shadow Box – Ryan Cardall
Jesus Hopped the A Train – James Arlen
Tape – Brandon Holmes
Reasons to be Pretty – Nina Ham
Reasons to be Happy – Matt Gossen