Meet Kayla Ryan Walsh

We were lucky to catch up with Kayla Ryan Walsh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla Ryan, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I think when you’ve been conditioned by those around you that you aren’t enough, or you’re told “NO” so frequently, you start to develop a stronger sense of self, and are able to analyze and diagnose yourself more clearly. I felt completely emboldened when I moved to New York to become a professional actor post-college, because I really had no one telling me I would make an impact (other than my Mom of course!) so I went in absolutely delusional, and with no expectations. Because of that, I developed a strong spine and didn’t think I’d find success or joy as quickly. Once you’ve been knocked down far too many times, you really develop a strength and resilience that’s unmatchable, and you know yourself fully because you’re the only person you can rely on, instead of others. It’s both a blessing and a curse, but I actually wouldn’t have changed any aspect of my story.

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’m a Funny Leading Lady based out of New York City, with a passion for all things comedic, vulnerable, delusional and delightful. I bounce back and forth between straight plays and musicals, and am trying to branch out into the TV/Film and voiceover world.
I gravitate towards art that is hilarious, dangerous, collaborative and conscious.
I have a strong background in classical theatre and received a Fulbright Scholarship to study Shakespeare at The Globe under Philip Bird’s mentorship, and treat classical sensibilities as the backbone of myself as an artist, really diving into text analysis, character development and the hero’s journey, no matter how small the character may be.
I love playing women who are messy, methodical, have a sense of humor, and know (or want everybody to think) that they’re the smartest person in the room.

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?

We’re taught to be selfless artists at a young age, and while the sentiment is lovely, I also think you are allowed to be a selfish artist, too. Don’t be afraid to state and develop an opinion, speak out, and advocate for yourself/others. My rule always is that if something burns in your gut, you owe it to yourself to act and speak on it, whether people around you agree with you or not. Some of the greatest geniuses in our world are coined as such because they had the nerve to try, be mocked, and fail.

For me, I was and always have been supported by a Mom who loves me unequivocally, and always supported me never having a backup plan. To me, a backup plan is a false security net, and I’d rather leap into the void at the fear of falling, then be afraid to have my feet leave the ground.

My advice for those who are in the early stages of their journey would be to soak up EVERYTHING. We have a great privilege of technological advances, so use the internet to your advantage – watch the news, read poetry, tune into the sports game, watch your favorite actor and their interviews, etc. You can only be fully fleshed out as a creative with INFORMATION and the opportunity to develop and establish OPINIONS. That is your greatest tool – you’ll find what you like and dislike, and establishing your own taste can be extremely fruitful and will impact your work as well. Steal from the best, and learn from the worst.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

To me, when I get overwhelmed, it feels a bit like you’re on a tightrope – you can see the end of the journey, but your subconscious also is aware of the drop below, and it sometimes can feel emotionally debilitating or scary.
What I’ve started doing recently that has been a huge help is a “Junk Journal.” I’m able to doodle, write out all my feelings that I’m experiencing, and then I’m able to physically crumple it and throw it away.
It’s been a huge help (being a visual learner) to be able to see my issues, and physically throwing them away.
I also use music as a cathartic release as well – I always start and end my day with music.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Whitaker Gannon, Eli Carpenter, Avery Brunkus

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