Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenzie Klem.
Hi Kenzie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been quirky, creative, and dramatic. So once I found acting, I knew that was where I belonged… I stepped on stage for the first time when I was 12 years old, and I haven’t been able to step off since. For undergrad, I received my BA in theater with a specialization in acting from Keene State College. There, I also studied improvisation, movement, dance, and devised theatre. I also had the opportunity to work for the technical director at the school, which opened my eyes to everything that goes into a production and not just what you see on stage. During my years in college, I was cast in a summer theater company in Putney, Vermont. The actors that I had the chance to share the stage with became some of my biggest inspirations. As the youngest actor in the company, every rehearsal was an acting lesson because I got to watch these other professional actors at work and learn from what they did.
After graduating, I moved to Sydney, Australia, where I was accepted to study at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (an absolute dream of mine since I’d first heard about the school!). While in Sydney, I was also trained in the Meisner Technique at The Actors Pulse Studio. After completing my year long training in Sydney, I moved to New York City where I immediately hit the ground running. I was cast with an improvisation troupe, worked on stage and camera. Being an actress in New York City was where I realized that you have to be incredibly tough in this industry. Rejection was constant, and I found out that you have to celebrate every single win, no matter how small. I continued my training with Penny Templeton and Georgia Warner. I constantly wanted to learn and develop my craft. In March of 2021, I moved to Austin to continue my career. It was a huge life change, and I wasn’t sure where it would take me. I had so many doubts about what the industry would be like here and if there would be work for me. I landed here in Austin and was immediately cast in a short film. From there, the work hasn’t stopped. It’s all about your attitude, mindset, and work ethic. If you put the work in, you will succeed. One of my favorite quotes is, “Nothing that’s for you will pass you”. And I think that is absolutely true. Sometimes it’s a waiting game; waiting for an audition, waiting to book a modeling job, waiting to get a role. I feel like I’ve finally found my groove here in the Texas industry, and I bounce back and fourth between Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio to film different projects.
I’ve also been modeling for the past ten years. From makeup modeling to hair modeling to fashion modeling, I get to bring my personality out in front of the camera. I think modeling is exactly like acting; you’re playing a character. What you wear or what your style is decided how you’re going to act in front of the camera. And it’s true, a picture speaks 1,000 words.
I also have the pleasure to direct children’s theater here in Austin at kidsActing Studio. The joy it brings me to see young actors have a passion in theater is unlike anything else! It reminds me of where I started at their age, and being able to teach them and be a role model is thrilling.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
If it was an easy smooth road, everyone would do it! I had incredible challenges and still do to this day. In undergrad, I really struggled with comparing myself to others in class. I’d tell myself I wasn’t good enough; I wasn’t talented enough. I had a professor that told me that I wasn’t going to go anywhere in life unless I changed my voice. That absolutely crushed me. I was defeated and almost quit acting right then and there. It was being cast with the theater company in Vermont that reminded me I was talented and that I did deserve to be doing what I was doing. After graduating, I felt a little stuck and defeated. I performed in one last show with my Vermont theater company and then moved home. I was stuck between getting a full-time job with a photography company or dropping everything and taking a change to move to the other side of the world to audition for NIDA where nothing was guaranteed. I really struggled making this decision. I went to my Vermont theater director, the incredibly talented Hallie Flower, for advice. She motivated me, gave me the passion and drive to make the decision I did; sign up for an audition and book a one way ticket to Sydney.
Living in New York City was incredibly difficult at first. I had no connections, didn’t have an agent, and no one to turn to. It felt like every other actor around me knew exactly what they were doing and everyone else was successful, except for me. I kept hearing stories about actors that came to New York and had their big break with their first audition. I kept comparing myself to them. When I didn’t get a role, I told myself that it was because I wasn’t pretty enough. I felt that New York was full of so many beautiful, talented people that any casting director would pick over me. Being a model in New York was also difficult. I would book a job and show up to set and see the other models who were taller than me, thinner than me, and prettier than me. I was constantly comparing myself. I eventually learned an incredibly important life lesson; “Comparison is the thief of joy. That quote changed my views on so many things. I was spending so much time upset and sad because I was comparing myself to others that I didn’t look at all of the things that I had to offer and bring to the table in auditions.
I’m quite a quirky person. I began to use that to my advantage. I didn’t hide my quirky attitude going into an audition room. I brought the side of me that the directors may not see in other actors. I strived to stand out and be remembered in the audition room. Once I let myself truly be me, I booked so many roles. When I did get the occasional feedback from directors after an audition, it would be that they appreciated my personality and the freedom I had in the audition room. It took me years, but I found the confidence I needed.
Moving to Austin was both exciting and scary! I knew nothing about the industry and knew absolutely no one. However, I took the lessons I learned in New York and brought them here. I took chances and went out for roles that I wasn’t sure if I would get. But I put myself out there. There were several roles I auditioned for and didn’t get the part, but I had the director come to me weeks later saying they had a role in another film for me. They had remembered my audition; my personality. And that is always my goal.
Even now with the confidence I have in who I am, there are always tough days. I have days when I’m at home and don’t have work and feel defeated. Days that I get the email ‘we’ve decided to go another direction with casting’ when it was a role that I really wanted. But I need to remember that no matter who you are, no matter what industry you’re in, everyone has those days (whether they’re willing to admit it or not)
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When it comes to my work, I’m incredibly proud to talk about my favorite roles that I’ve had the pleasure to bring to life. The first was the role of Angie in the play Top Girls by British playwright Caryl Churchill. Playing this character challenged me in the most amazing way! I had to transform myself, both mentally and physically, into a 15 years old girl who was odd, quirky, and education-wise, well behind others her age. This was the first role that truly challenged me and I learned so much about myself. I give a lot of credit to the actors I shared the stage with. I would not have been able to create this character if it wasn’t what they gave me in each and every rehearsal.
Film wise, I think there are two roles that are my favorite. The first one was an indie film I did when I was living in NYC called Need Anything Else. I played opposite a dear friend of mine, Justin Schilling. The second one I actually just filmed this past summer in Dallas. It was a 1930’s film noir horror/ thriller. The character I played was unlike anything else I’ve ever taken on. She was a murdering bank robber who used her sexuality to get what she wanted in an extremely aggressive way. It was an emotionally and physically exhausting role that I absolutely loved taking on. Getting into that mindset and creating this character took a lot of work. You can’t judge them for what they do; you have to justify their actions and have empathy. They do what they do for a reason. So justifying why she was who she was and what she did was a thrilling experience to take on! I also think what made it amazing were the other actors I got to share the screen with. They were astonishing and the chemistry we all had on set together was unbelievable. I’m working with them again on upcoming projects and I am absolutely thrilled!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Do not, do not, DO NOT compare yourself to others! Whether it be their talent or where they are in their career. Everyone is different, and no one’s journey is the same. You are exactly where you need to be, as cheesy as that sounds. Everyone has something unique to offer that another actor won’t; use that uniqueness to your advantage. Don’t hide what makes you different; bring it into your auditions.
The only thing you are in control of in this world is your thoughts and actions. Be sure to keep them both positive! It will make the hard days so much easier!
Contact Info:
- Email: kenzieklem@gmail.com
- Website: www.kenzieklem.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kenzieklem
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenzieklemactor
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8800463/
Image Credits:
ABM Photography
