We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Kay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley Kay, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
What’s interesting about this question is that back at the beginning of this year, God told me that my word for this year was Optimism. Understanding what it means to be just that and how to apply it to my journey has allowed me to become more aware of the words that I speak and the thoughts that I harbor. For instance, this year, I had two film projects, that I was cast for, put on hold for reasons that I obviously had no control over. As frustrating as the news was, the words, “remain optimistic” kept repeating itself to me because at the end of the day, we have to try to find the silver lining in the storm(s). The situation allowed me to practice shifting my focus onto all the beautiful things that I have experienced so far in my career, but even more important, it reminded me that there’s more to my life than just being an Actress/Filmmaker. And God does the job of constantly reminding me of that which has kept me in the state of great optimism. And with that being said, one of those film projects that was on hold is now back on for production. Be on the lookout for it on streaming platforms in the near future..
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am an Actress based out of Detroit, Michigan. I studied Theatre/Creative Writing at Saginaw Valley State University from The Fall of 2006-Summer 2011.. While there, I obtained an Acting Scholarship for the last two years of my studies, won an SVSU Tony Award for my role as Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire, and was apart of Alpha Psi Omega, Theatre Fraternity.
Once I moved back down to the Metro Detroit area where I started to network and connect with other Actors, Writers, Directors to keep my career going. While being cast in various stage plays, and working behind the scenes as a PA, Location Scout, Assistant Director on a few stage/film projects, I started to expand my artistry by writing and directing my very first Short Film that came out in 2014 called Happy To Be, which is available on YouTube. It was an official selection at The 2014 Trinity International Film Festival in Detroit, Michigan. From there I created more short comedy sketches that can be found on my YouTube channel, Ashley Kay, with my highest viewed short being a parody of Michael Jackson’s Thriller called Thriller in the Hood.
I achieved another award in 2019 for Best Actress at the Bricolage Awards and later that year, was a featured Writer/Director for a showcase at the historical Redford Theatre for a Short play that I wrote/directed called Forgive Us Not, which later became a Multi-Nominated, 6 time award winning Short Film that is currently being recognized at film festivals around the globe that includes: Los Angeles, Paris, Indonesia, London, and Berlin to name a few.
I launched my film company, KAY88 Productions, LLC (formerly known as KAY Productions) back in 2018. With two featured films, and a Limited Soap Opera series that will be produced in the near future,
A special shout out goes to EBONY Online Magazine for featuring me and some of my beautifully, talented co stars from the Shakespeare Royal Oak production of Love’s Labors Lost that wrapped up its 8 day performances in August.
Being this gifted has been such a blessing and has brought so much revelation to me that there is a greater purpose that lies ahead for me and the mark that I am making on this Film/TV/Theatre industry.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Mistakes will happen whether you like it or not, but don’t allow it to define you and the purpose that has been giving to you. Know who you are outside of your gifts and talents because if you don’t, you’ll become an unknowing slave to wanna people please and create unhealthy habits that can take a heavy toll on your mental so it’s very important to understand you. Understand what triggers you, what makes you glad, what’s important to you outside of your calling? It’s okay to breaks to redirect and reflect, you have that right to. And finally, not all advice is good advice. I’ve learned throughout my career that some folks will give you their opinion and just because it’s something that worked for them, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. This is why it’s so important to use discernment and looping back to my second point, the knowing who you are will play a heavy part in this factor. I can only go by what has helped me get to where I’m out at as of now, but it’s been beneficial to me not only as a creator , but as Ashley Kay, the girl straight outta Detroit.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m definitely looking for Producers and or Investors that are willing to see and sow into the stories that I have written/created. You can find my production company page on Instagram at: kayproductions88 Facebook: KAY88 Productions LLC, or you can contact me directly at my email address:
[email protected]
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatsashleykay?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.k.evans.3?mibextid=9R9pXO
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCWcSdp_Sm4isYNWkO2awTww
- Other: https://www.every.org/wocunite/f/webseries-the-shade-of
Image Credits
Candace Campbell Logan McCleod Jen Photography Jamal Hines
