Meet Kathi Reichel

We recently connected with Kathi Reichel and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathi, 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?

I think confidence is a muscle that continuously needs work to grow. I’ve also noticed that life has so many pillars — you can be confident in one area and shaky in another. When I started acting, I couldn’t even make eye contact; my confidence to talk to people was below the table — maybe that’s because that’s where I kept my eyeline at all costs! I had to force myself out of my comfort zone, because that’s the only way to grow: show up to class again and again and face your fears. With every class my confidence grew by the smallest increments. I may not have noticed it at the time, but looking back now I see the huge growth I made.

To me, confidence is the ability to show up repeatedly and keep the promises you make to yourself. Because I’ve performed so often in front of people in class, I can honestly say I’m quite “confident” doing that — and I’m similarly confident about going to the gym and lifting weights because I do it so much. But recently I took on directing, and even though I know I have the skills, I didn’t have the confidence to deliver my directions with authority. Every rehearsal I grew (and I still am). It’s the most fulfilling process watching how much easier it gets — step by step.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

When people ask what I do, I love saying that I’m an artist. As an actor, you get the beautiful opportunity to bring your whole self to a text and play your instrument for an audience. I find that so special because this form of storytelling allows me not only to share meaningful stories, but also to connect with, move, and impact people. Knowing that you’ve helped someone, embodied something essential, or allowed someone to see themselves reflected in your work is the most fulfilling feeling in the world. I feel endlessly grateful that I get to wake up every day and do that.

And it’s not just acting — behind the camera, whether I’m directing or helping friends with a self-tape, I’m still creating, still growing, and no two days look the same. Being the Second AD on the play Training Set has enriched me so deeply, not just because of the magic we’re making, but because of the people I get to make it with. They are some of the most extraordinary, generous humans, and I’m constantly learning from everyone around me.

In the end, that human connection — the shared heartbeat of creating something together — is the most special part of being an artist.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Curiosity is the first one — that deep desire for continuous growth. It makes you someone who stays open, always looking to improve, to explore new things, and to absorb the world around you so you can bring all of it into your craft. When you lead with curiosity, you naturally start acquiring new skills: maybe you become proficient in a sport, learn an accent, pick up painting, train in stage combat, or decide to play an instrument just because it sparks something in you.

This naturally expands into areas of knowledge — the arts, psychology, culture, languages, history, human behavior, even random niche pockets of the world that somehow always end up being useful. So when a casting director is suddenly looking for “a surfer with an Irish accent who happens to play piano,” you might just be their person! 😀

The third quality is discipline — the willingness to show up consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or you feel like you’re terrible. It’s what turns curiosity into actual growth.

My advice:
For anyone early in their journey, follow your curiosity like a compass. Take classes, try things that scare you, explore interests even if they seem unrelated. Build your skillset brick by brick, and trust that nothing you learn is ever wasted. And above all, be disciplined and resilient enough to keep showing up. That’s where the magic — and the momentum — starts.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

“Folks” does sound funny — but yes, absolutely! I’m always looking to collaborate. This year really showed me how essential it is to build a community and create with others. This industry can be incredibly challenging, but everything feels lighter and more possible when you find your people — the ones who share the same passion for storytelling and making art.

I’m open to collaborating with anyone in the film or theatre world, whether it’s behind the camera or in front of it. I’d love to act in more films, direct more projects, dive into plays, develop ideas, write, workshop scenes — or honestly, even just go watch a movie with someone who loves this world as much as I do. Collaboration is where the magic happens, and it’s the most beautiful thing to witness an idea come to fruition and watch the people around you shine.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KADDL_R/?HL=EN
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm17130080/
  Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/2146844-6022310