Rising Stars: Meet Sadie Kennedy of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadie Kennedy.

Hi Sadie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in San Diego, CA where I quickly became obsessed with all things acting and theatre. Starting off with musical theatre (despite not being able to carry a tune and having two left feet), I really hit my stride learning about Shakespeare during my summers at the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program. When it came to choosing colleges I knew one thing for sure- I had to get away from the lovely, sunny weather of California.

So I went where the wind is biting and the pizza is deep dish, Chicago. My years spent at the Chicago College of Performing Arts were filled with lots of highs and lows, but most importantly I honed my craft and fortified my passion for acting. Following graduation I made a decision I never expected to- I decided to move back to California!

Living in Los Angeles for the last (more than a few) years, I’ve grown to love this city and everything it has to offer not only in the entertainment but for culture and lifestyle. I’ve even grown to love spending time in the sun! I’ve been spending my time continuing to work hard on my acting, and now writing and directing. It hasn’t been easy, but the more I do the more I learn, and I’m excited to see where my career and life takes me!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Despite what they show in the movies, living through your 20’s is not as glamorous as it seems and is a hell of a lot harder. Living through a pandemic, multiple strikes, and plenty of personal strife, almost nothing went according to the plans I wrote in my pink and sparkly diary at eight years old. Relationships with friends and lovers have come and gone, amazing opportunities flashed past me, and I even got a breast reduction. As cliche as it may sound, I wouldn’t trade any of it. Every hardship I’ve faced has made me the person I am today. I know myself way better than I did ten years ago, and most importantly, that’s a person I’m really quite fond of. No matter what happens in the next decade, I know that at least I’ll be there to laugh at my own jokes!

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’m an actor and writer, and currently doing both of those things PLUS directing my new one act play Little Chaos. I’ve never done all three at the same time which is both exhilarating and terrifying. The play is premiering at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival at The Cat’s Crawl, and follows a young woman’s spiral out of reality as a situationship that seemed like true love falls apart. The show is 45 minutes, has 12 actors, and is going to be absolutely insane. I’m pretty proud of the work we’ve done so far, the magical realism this story requires is no easy feat to pull off. It was a really cathartic experience writing a piece like this, and I hope audiences get to feel that same release. That’s why we make art after all, isn’t it?

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I was once described by an ex’s parent as a “terrier”, which at the time felt like a bit of an insult. I now know that energy is a gift. I’m relentless in my ambitions and now more than ever I am committed to my own artistic voice. I spent so many years stifling myself so that I might fit in better or be more palatable to those around me. That time is over. I’m ready to fight for what I want, and I can truthfully say that I really believe in what I’m doing. We all have stories to tell, we all have so many common experiences of pain and joy. Now is my time to tell mine, my way.

Pricing:

• Tickets to Little Chaos are $15

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/13473
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlechaosplay/