An Inspired Chat with Arielle Beth Klein of New York City

We recently had the chance to connect with Arielle Beth Klein and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Arielle Beth, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Feeling like they need to have all the answers. In life and also in art. Something that comes up a lot for my solo show clients is a feeling they need to wrap up the show in a neat bow; or the sense of obligation to needing to solve a problem or give the audience a profound ending. Sometimes saying “I don’t know but here was my experience” or “maybe it’s this” is enough of an ending that the audience needs. As long as it’s true to you, I say it’s fair game.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Arielle Beth Klein — a creative coach, solo show director, and performer who helps artists tell the stories only they can tell. I specialize in guiding folks (both writers/performers and those not in the industry) from that first spark of an idea all the way to a fully realized solo show.

My approach blends person-first compassionate coaching, practical story structure, and years of experience as a working actor and writer. I started my solo show journey studying under Seth Barrish (Broadway director, Mike Birbiglia’s The New One et. al.) at The Barrow Group, where I teach solo show and acting.

I’m passionate about guiding people to share their authentic stories, setting attainable goals and getting them to actually finish the work that’s been living inside them for years.

As someone who’s written and performed my own solo work, I know how vulnerable and exhilarating this process can be. My job is to hold space for both — to keep you brave, grounded, and excited to share your story with the world.

If you’ve got a story that’s ready to be told, let’s bring it to life — together.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My sister. After I graduated college with a degree in Early Childhood Education, I knew teaching Kindergarten wasn’t for me. I decided to take the leap and try to pursue my dream of a life in the arts. I started auditioning as an actor and taking acting classes. For my birthday that year my sister Alayna, who’s an incredible fine artist, created a card for me that says “no dream is ever too big” with an artistic interpretation of a Broadway stage. She wrote me an incredibly supportive note, claiming my dream for me before I was brave enough to fully claim it myself. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader and I certainly don’t thank her enough for that.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of sharing the darkest, most vulnerable parts of myself. I was working with someone on their show and they had a hesitation to share an extremely personal thought they had that they expressed having some shame around. I feel honored to create a safe space for artists exploring their messy, raw, human moments. And, of course, we found that actually sharing those moments is what draws an audience in and can potentially impact them the most. When I recognize a similar hesitation in myself that comes up occasionally as I work on various projects, I remind myself to be brave, as I encourage others to do, in order to foster relatable, honest storytelling.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
1. “You have to have a huge, spectacular budget to put on a show.” Some of the most impactful stories I have experienced have been one storyteller, with a stool and a microphone.

2. “No one cares about my story.” You are called to write a solo show, you have a story to share. There is a difference between a narrative solo show, a Ted Talk, and a therapy session. When we use story structure and storytelling tools to build your story to resonate with the audience, people are invested. You are giving us the gift of using your story to share with us something greater.

3. “I have to have the story all figured out before I can start writing.” So much is discovered in the process of creating. Just start – you can’t edit from a blank page.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
In nature around rushing water or giant trees! It’s so easy to be in our heads, especially as artists/writers. When I am in nature I feel viscerally that I am part of something bigger than myself. Not to sound like a jaded millennial but there is presence that I feel in nature that I haven’t felt since summer breaks without smart phones. It’s no surprise that when I feel the most at peace, my creative juices start flowing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ariellebethklein.com/coaching
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abk_creativecoach/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/ariellebethklein/