Meet Kelly O’Malley

 

We were lucky to catch up with Kelly O’Malley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Developing my confidence and self-esteem has been an ongoing and evolving process, deeply intertwined with learning how to honor my needs and boundaries. For a long time, I believed that being there for others (whether personally or professionally) meant putting myself last. But I’ve learned in order to make a long-term commitment to showing up in my relationships, advocating for change and helping those in need, I had to tune in with myself first. Which was so scary! I’d become so accustomed to ignoring my own needs that I didn’t even know how to identify them.

So, I had to learn. Therapy helps me uncover and challenge patterns and beliefs that no longer serve me. It also has taught me the importance of self-compassion and the necessity of letting go of perfectionism. Also, learning how to implement healthy boundaries has been key. Boundaries make it possible for me to fill up my own cup, so that I’m able to be more present and supportive of those around me.

It’s been a gradual change. These past couple of years,. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, embrace my imperfections and understand that growth is a continuous journey. And as I’ve learned to treat myself better and advocate for what I need,, I’ve become more confident and secure in who I am and in my relationships with those around me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I started A Light in Dark Places out of a desire to transform a painful experience into something meaningful and helpful to those in need. After my dad’s suicide, I was left shattered and searching for a way to make sense of the senseless. A Light in Dark Places became my way of channeling that grief into action, creating a space where others like myself could find hope and connection through art.

Our work primarily focuses on producing a short-play series at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting & Theatre in Hollywood, where we tackle the difficult, and often unspoken realities of suicide and mental health. We do this through a series of five short-plays, followed by a discussion and then a reception where audience and volunteers alike have the opportunity to connect and keep the conversation going. Our latest iteration of Plays for Hope will be up Sept 27 – Oct 6.

What excites me most is seeing how these performances create ripples of understanding and empathy. Art has a unique way of opening us up to new perspectives and vulnerability that allow conversations that might otherwise be too painful to happen in a safe, supportive environment.

Looking ahead, we’re exploring new ways to expand our reach. We’ve produced multiple one-night events (Cabaret, Stand-Up, Dance) that focus on bringing those affected to come together in joy, as well as our first short film. We’ve also brought our play series to the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas, Texas for three consecutive years.

There’s always more work to be done, more lives to touch, and more light to bring into the darkness. Whether it’s through new collaborations, events, or initiatives, our goal remains the same: to break the stigma surrounding the topic of suicide by using the performing arts to encourage healthy discussion, create community, and offer hope to those affected.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

If I had to distill my journey into three key elements, they would be 1) a willingness to learn, 2) fostering curiosity and 3) personal experience as a suicide loss survivor and as someone with their own mental health struggles.

That personal experience has profoundly shaped who I am and the work I do. When my dad died, it was as if my very DNA changed. I am not who I was before, and I never will be. But that new version of me is someone who can hopefully help others in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to before this unchangeable tragedy happened. I was out of my depth. That taught me to be open to learning from others, especially those who have walked this path before me. I’ve learned that you don’t have to have all the answers; sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is ask questions and then listen. And when we’re open and we listen, curiosity can thrive. Curiosity drives me to dig deeper, to seek out new perspectives, and to reflect back to myself honestly in a way that helps me grow and continue to heal.

So for anyone just starting out on their journey, my advice would be to embrace that vulnerability. Be open to life being different that you ever imagined. Listen to new perspectives, and then learn to discern what is helpful and/or speaks to you and your growth and what isn’t.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely, we are always eager to welcome passionate individuals who share
our commitment to making a difference in the realms of mental health and volunteerism. The work we do at A Light in Dark Places is deeply meaningful, but we can’t do it alone. It’s a collective effort, and we need the hearts and hands of volunteers, artists, sponsors, and anyone who feels a calling to help us grow this mission.

Volunteering with us isn’t just about giving back; it’s about being part of a community that believes in the power of connection, hope, and healing. It’s about taking that step to make a tangible impact, not just for others, but for your own mental well-being too. There’s something profoundly therapeutic in coming together for a cause that touches so many lives.

We’re open to new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative energies to help spread awareness and expand our reach. Whether you’re an artist looking to use your talents for a greater good, a sponsor who wants to support a cause with a lasting impact, or someone who wants to volunteer your time—there’s a place for you in our community.

I encourage everyone who feels drawn to this work to connect with us. Follow us on Instagram or visit our website to see what we’re up to and learn more about how you can get involved.

Together, we can be a light and make a lasting difference.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Brandon LaJoie, Allli Rae Photography, Jonas Streffer, Julio Javier Vargas

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