Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Daniels.
Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been singing for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was little, I have always loved to sing (rest assured I would be performing a concert at every holiday gathering or family occasion). I was very fortunate that throughout my entire life, my parents have always been so supportive of this passion of mine. They enrolled me in a singing and dancing group when I was about seven years old, and I soaked up every minute of it! I got to see what it was like to be onstage in front of an audience for the first time and was immediately hooked. For many years, my love of singing was in the forefront of all my performing, until I happened upon a local musical in 6th grade. Combining singing and dancing with acting too?! Sign me up! And that’s just what I did.
I began consistently doing musical theatre from then on, attending a performing arts high school and eventually going to college to study theatre. Since graduating in 2018, I’ve been staying strong on my path, working consistently in regional theaters throughout California, and just recently completing my first national tour. Each day, I continue to put in the work toward my goals, reaching higher and higher toward my dream of being on Broadway.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I feel like it’s impossible to not have a few bumps along the way in a career such as this. I do have the perspective though that the challenges that I have been given upon my path have actually been blessings in the long run, as they have taught me to persevere even in the toughest times.
The pandemic really shook the industry in an unimaginable way. Talk about a struggle. Broadway closing down was a giant wake-up call that this career might not even exist anymore. Without theater during that time, there were two paths that I felt I could take- choosing a new career to do instead or getting creative and trying to do what I love under the unprecedented circumstances. I quickly realized it had to be the latter. Jumping on the virtual bandwagon, I took advantage of online cabarets, virtual musicals, Zoom acting classes, and getting a start in the film acting world. I knew that even with this giant obstacle, I couldn’t let it bring me down.
Outside factors weigh hard on actors. In this profession, rejection is also such a common experience, so staying strong through those hard moments is always important. Every person is on their own path and as long as the work is put in, I firmly believe that good things will follow.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself to be a multi-faceted performer. I love so many things when it comes to theater, and have enjoyed performing in many different kinds of work! As I mentioned, I love all kinds of singing and acting, and when it comes to dance, tap has always been my favorite. The musicality of tap dancing and the rhythmic nature of it is so fun to perform, and I always love when a musical I’m in has tap incorporated.
I also have two special skills that have served me well, especially in some of my more recent shows- rollerskating and puppeteering. This last summer, I starred in the musical, Xanadu, at the Laguna Playhouse, where I was quite literally on roller skates almost the entire show. How much more fun can you get than that?! Roller-skating while singing the amazing score and getting to have so much fun in the over-the-top comedy definitely makes this show the very top of my list of favorites that I have ever done.
At the end of last year, I also made my national tour debut with the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer musical, where I got to use my puppeteering skills quite a bit. Not only was I able to help bring the Christmas spirit to many children while traveling across the country, but I also got to learn how to heelie, puppeteer a 3 foot tall Dolly, and be a reindeer! It was quite magical to say the least.
These two shows in particular are my proudest theatrical moments to date. They challenged me in new ways, taught me so many new things, and offered me experiences that I will forever me grateful for. I feel incredibly blessed for all the opportunities that I have had, but these two shows in particular are extremely special to me.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Whenever someone asks this, I always give the same answer. “Never give up!” As I mentioned earlier, I really do think perseverance and hard work will lead to success. There will always be challenges, and as much as it is tempting to throw in the towel sometimes, I try to remind myself to push through those negative thoughts. So many people in this business will tell you no. But if you put in the work and keep trying your best to be your authentic self, there will be someone who says yes. My dad always says that it’s like a numbers game- that for every, let’s say, 20 no’s you get, you’ll get one yes. So when I don’t book a job, instead of letting it get me down, I flip it. I say, well I’m now one step closer to the “Yes!” By working hard and staying focused on your own path and not anyone else’s path, the opportunities that are right for you will happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: Kristen-Daniels.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kris10daniels
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Kristen-
Daniels
Image Credits
Sean Kara Photography Jason Niedle
