Meet Kristen Eliza Brock

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristen Eliza Brock a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen Eliza, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem developed from my hometown, where I was surrounded by people who believed in me long before I believed in myself. My parents, teachers, and mentors made me feel seen, valued, and supported in every dream I chased. That community gave me the safety net to take risks — it was the place that launched me forward, and the one that always caught me when I fell.

When I was younger, I definitely confused confidence with cockiness and arrogance. I thought being strong meant being unshakable — never showing doubt or fear. Looking back, I realize I wasn’t truly confident yet; I was just comfortable. I hadn’t faced failure or rejection in a way that really tested me.
College and early adulthood changed that completely. I learned that real confidence comes from falling down and getting back up — from finding your worth even when no one’s clapping. Those experiences taught me humility, empathy, and the kind of strength that lasts.

I’m incredibly proud of the woman I am today. I love the strength I have accrued over these last 8 years to maintain the same level of confidence I had when it was being handed to me every day.
I’m a self-starter, an Equity actor, and a non-profit founder at 25. I’ve learned to define my own success, to travel and explore the world I once thought I wouldn’t be able to afford, and to stop measuring my value by what others think.

My confidence today comes from knowing who I am — someone shaped by love, lifted by experience, and still deeply connected to the kid who dreamed big and never stopped believing in this version of me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a New York City-based AEA actress, originally from Orlando, FL – SeaWorld, Disney, Putt-Putt Golfing, ya know… At a young age, you would have seen me belting “Part of Your World” at any local karaoke bar they would let me into or rehearsing daily for my “Disney World” Princess audition the day I turned 16 that I never actually attended… 

Performing has been my vocation for as long as I can remember. Born to parents that are both twins, they raised me to always do what I loved as a career – that’s what life is about! 
After attending the Jimmy Awards in 2018, my dreams started feeling possible. I went on to earn my BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University (Class of 2022), where I discovered my love for new work development — the creation of brand-new plays and musicals.

In May of 2025, I founded The Table Read Co., a non-profit dedicated to empowering emerging theatre voices and producing table reads across New York City. I wanted to create a space where anyone — actors, directors, choreographers, producers — could participate in the development of new theatrical work, regardless of location or personal network. A place that would connect playwrights at the very beginning of their creative process (sometimes later) with equally passionate collaborators ready to help bring those stories to life.
While many in our industry are creating and producing new works, The Table Read Co. fills a critical gap: serving as a launch point for playwrights, composers, and lyricists who need guidance, resources, and encouragement to take their first steps. We provide the motivation, creative structure, and practical support that turn great ideas into fully realized projects. Sometimes all an artist needs is a little momentum, a little guidance, and a community that believes in their potential — and that’s exactly what we provide.

As a full-time committed actress, I have performed in productions including Reefer Madness (Mary Lane), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), Footloose (Ariel), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Janet), Anything Goes (Reno), High School Musical (Sharpay), Elf (Jovie), and Into the Woods (The Witch). I recently also took part in the world premiere of Brooklyn’s Bridge at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, directed by Ray Roderick.

On the rare occasion that I have time off, I enjoy traveling all over the world, jamming to 70s music, being a wine enthusiast, and beating my dad at poker. I am also a triple gemini (if you’re into that sort of thing)…
Lastly, I feel very strongly about equal representation in our industry and strive to use my voice for the better of our community.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are motivation, resilience, and collaboration with empathy.

Motivation has always been my foundation. It’s what keeps me moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear. From performing as a kid in Orlando to producing and founding my own non-profit in New York, my drive to keep growing and creating has never faded. Motivation, to me, isn’t just about ambition — it’s about curiosity, discipline, and remembering why you love what you do.

Resilience came later. This industry will test you in every way possible — and it should. Early on, I had to learn that rejection doesn’t define your worth; it refines your strength. Each “no” taught me something valuable and pushed me to grow. Resilience is what allows you to show up again and again with an open heart, even when things don’t go as planned.

And finally, collaboration and empathy are at the heart of everything I do. Theatre is storytelling through connection — and the best art comes from listening, understanding, and lifting others up. As both an actor and a producer, I’ve found that empathy is what transforms collaboration into true community. And what is this industry if not a strong and supportive community?

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this: stay motivated by your love for the craft, let resilience carry you through the tough moments, and lead every collaboration with empathy. Those three things will not only make you a stronger artist, but also a better human being — and that’s what truly matters at the end of the day.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My journey in theatre began at a very young age. My parents enrolled me in voice and dance lessons when I was five, and by the time I was ten, I was performing in professional productions across the US. In many ways, I knew this was my path before I even understood what a “career” truly meant. I was fortunate to have parents who not only supported my dreams but also believed deeply in the power and value of the performing arts.

Growing up immersed in this world came with both pros and cons. While my friends spent their summers at camp, I was performing in regional productions. I was homeschooled throughout middle school to accommodate rehearsal schedules, and I attended a performing arts high school with a concentration in Musical Theatre that often felt like a BFA program in itself. I was the lead in all of our productions—a position that, in most high schools, might not have been considered “cool,” but in mine, it was something to be proud of. I didn’t play sports or explore many other hobbies—my world revolved around singing, dancing, and acting— which looking back now sometimes can feel like I missed out… but 14 year-old me wouldn’t have had it any other way. I loved every moment of it.
I cherish my parents for providing me with the resources that I needed to be the actor and performer I am now. They gave me my dream career.

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Image Credits

Elisa Vividor, Olivia Kuan Romano, Julianna McGuirl, The Jimmy Awards

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