We had the good fortune of connecting with Diane Kelber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diane, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Creating makes me happy! I honestly believe we were created – to create. When I’m able to create something either as an actress or a director that helps people understand, feel, take steps, cry or laugh, I feel whole.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my career professionally as a dancer, performing in modern repertory dance companies and touring in different regions of the country. 10 years later, I found out I could sing and transitioned to musical theatre. Around 25 regional musical roles later, I started studying acting seriously…when I turned 40! I worked very hard and was able to get cast and then join the professional unions for dancers and musicians (AGMA), stage actors (Actors Equity), and film & TV actors (SAG-Aftra). I had a voice teacher who used to remind me that I was a “triangle” and often they are casting “circles!” I’ve NEVER been a circle. But when they need a triangle, I’m ready! I’ve learned to embrace my outer quirky, but on the inside my mantra is Heart, Humor and Humanity no matter what kind of work I’m producing. I think that everything is possible, and when I get blue I remember to be grateful! Things always turn around, and there’s always someone out there who might be thinking of you. Just have faith and keep marching, marching, marching. I am proud of my work although I don’t find it easy to talk about it most of the time. Lately I was given the Best Actress award for starring in the short film “Florence” at two film festivals (LACA and Art is Alive), and was nominated for a third at the GrandOFF international film festival in Warsaw, Poland. They had 4088 submissions from 125 countries! I feel so proud and yet humbled. In showbiz you are only as good as your last (fill in the blank)! It is a little odd to get recognition after plugging away for so many years!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
These days, because of the stay-at-home, I love to visit outdoor gardens and sanctuaries like Theodore Payne Foundation for Native California Plants and Wildflowers, Descanso Gardens, Claremont Botanic Gardens, the LA Arboretum, and Huntington Gardens. I can’t WAIT for theatre to open up again, because we love to see shows at the Ahmanson and Pantages, and small theatres in LA. I have my fingers and toes crossed that we will all get back up on stage again!!! And that especially the amazing small theatres in town are able to make it through this lengthy shut down that is necessary but hurts! Our favorite eating spots are in South Pasadena, Pasadena and Highland Park – there’s SO much here. And I have a very small garden planted with mostly California natives that brings me solace and calms my usually-too-busy mind.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are myriad people to thank!!!! I’m especially grateful to all the teachers in my life through the years – for dancing, acting, singing, voice over – and before that, piano and flute! And for people like my agents and managers, who hang in there with me during all the ups and downs. And the directors who have hired me as an actress…thank you!!! And of course the businesses and nonprofits who have hired me to create promo videos so I can continue to learn, and grow my business. But number one is my husband Ron Guillory. He is a graphic artist and will some day get back to acting. He has always been my rock, and the one who believes in me the most! And after Ron comes my family, especially my two sisters Carolyn and Sue. My parents passed many years ago, but I feel their energy in my siblings.

Website: www.DianeKelber.com  www.BingsWingsProductions.com
Instagram: instagram.com/DianeKelber instagram.com/BingsWingsProductions
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dianekelber
Facebook: facebook.com/Diane.Kelber facebook.com/BingsWingsProductions
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCksyupg1cO_sHpyopCEQE6Aview_as=subscriber youtube.com/user/BingsWings
Other: imdb.me/dianekelber

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