Meet Kymberly Harris | Director/Writer

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

Hi Kymberly, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Creating something original involves risk. My aesthetic leads me to find the personal impulse in the storytelling, often with an interest in social justice. Committing to a vision can feel risky, as you’re somehow stepping outside of the general norm and communicating a subjective point of view. It’s also somewhat of a risk to persevere as a female director. Somehow, representing women’s voices and mature women’s voices is still an enigma to some. But we must find a way, because all genders, races, classes, sexual orientations, and cultures deserve the right to see themselves reflected in storytelling. When audiences can truly identify with what they are experiencing on the stage or screen, is when stories resonate with truth and can move people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I wish I could say being a professional artist is easy, but it’s challenging and will always be, no matter who you are or where you are in your career. Any work that’s worthwhile is going to be inherently or externally challenging. In the human experience, we grow through challenges more than anything else. All resonant stories, comedy or drama, exist because of conflict and relationships. I believe my strength is in empowering actors to understand that the parts of ourselves that we hide from, are actually our most interesting aspects. And perhaps our most beautiful and connective. When you can understand that it’s your own inner life that you can to bring into your acting, writing, and directing, you will feel more free and expressive, and do better work. I love supporting actors to find and express their own personal truths, and bring out their finest work. I’m always seeking collaborators that can champion character driven stories, so that I can share the techniques I’ve formulated and champion empowered performances.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Right now, I’m enamored with the Immersive Frida Kahlo in Los Angeles. I like taking friends on the bike tour of Venice Beach to learn interesting details about the history there. Griffith Park Observatory is a great hike. Fun walks around the eclectic neighborhoods that are all so different from each other. The dining is also so special, whether it’s farmer’s markets, food trucks, or the best new restaurants. A great concert at The Hollywood Bowl, or a Lakers game, are also go to’s. And of course a great play or movie!

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?
Teachers! When a teacher really sees you, and they are great, it can be transformative. The great teachers that have had the most impact on me were Alvin Goldfarb, who was my mentor at Illinois State University while I got my MA in Theatre. Then when getting my MFA in Acting and Playwriting at The Actors Studio Program at The New School, Susan Batson took me under her wing.  Her brilliance informed me on every level. Also my son, Ethan Harris Riggs. I was a young mother, and in many ways we grew up together. His full heart and compassionate spirit has helped me grow in every way, and inspires me to do my part to make the world a better place for the younger generations.

Website: https://kymberlyharris.me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firsthand.films/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kymberlyharris/

Twitter: @kymberly_harris

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kymlharris