Meet Stephanie Kelley | Actor/Producer/Writer

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

Hi Stephanie, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I think the biggest habit that has helped me to succeed is to surround myself with people I can learn from and grow with. That isn’t to say surround yourself with people that you think are ‘better than you’ or ‘have succeed more than you, but to constantly surround yourself with others that have high aspirational goals and determination like yourself. I truly believe that no one can be the entire bearer of their own success. Just as ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ it takes a crew or a tribe, or whatever you want to call it, to build your success (and in turn you help build others’).

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a SAG and Equity performer, long time producer and writer. I started acting on stage when I was 5, film/tv at 15 and began producing when I was 19. I started and ran (with my former partner) a nonprofit theatre & film production company called Yellow House. It was in existence for 14 years and dissolved in 2015 when I moved from New York to LA. Yellow House would produce a monthly actors forum, filmmakers forum and poetry slam as well as produce at least one new theatre production and one short or feature film per year as well as grant new/upcoming artists grants to help finish their theatre or film projects. I gotta admit, I do miss that nonprofit and have definitely thought about starting up a new one here in LA.

I continue to act and will for the rest of my life- it is, without a doubt, my first and truest passion. But I also really enjoy producing and writing. I can’t function without constant creativity of one form or another in my life!! And, I want to share that joy by working with others to see their dreams come to fruition.

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.
There are SO many amazing things to do in LA when friends are visiting! First, I’m a huge fan of comedy. I could never do it myself but I love watching, so we’d definitely have to take in some Laugh Factory, Hollywood Improv, Comedy Store or Supernova.

I’m also a bit of a foodie…or I should say I love trying new restaurants all the time but some of my fav’s over the years are: el Carmen, el Compadre, Osteria Mozza, Republique, Formosa Cafe, & there’s this fire taco truck that’s usually parked on the corner of La Cienega & Venice. Oh, and Thai. Palms on Sunset is a great go-to. And Musso & Frank’s. And I’ve been known to frequent Te’Kila for their taco Tuesday’s 🙂

And, for drinks I would definitely hit up Bathtub Gin (this AMAZING new speakeasy on Melrose & Formosa) & Horses (used to be the Pikey) on Sunset. Also gotta hit up some fun spots for out of towners like Good Times at Davey Wayne’s, Sunset & Vinyl & No Vacancy. All Seasons Brewing Co. is a lot of fun for a few afternoon drinks.

Hiking is “so LA,” but for real…it’s “so LA” for a reason! I’d definitely take visitors to Barnsdall Art Park for a nice, leisurely walk, the fern dell trail up to the Observatory at Griffith Park, and Los Liones. And a trip out to Point Dume out by Zuma Beach would be a must.

Seriously, that’s just the beginning. I could go on about this forever…but basically we’d eat, drink & then walk it off all week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dr. Tiffany Jana (Doc Jana) should get some cred. to helping me along in my journey. They are a great friend of 20+yrs and a nonbinary artist, author, motivational speaker about justice, equity, diversity and inclusion & just an amazing human! Doc (@tiffanyjana on IG) is always someone I can go to when I need advice or even just to vent. You gotta have someone like them in your corner to make your dreams come true.

Instagram: @stephanienkelley

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-kelley-1228a32/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Actress.Stephanie.Kelley

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBn2-vv17WxJaPlc8P0oXyA

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1792521/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Image Credits
all headshots: Leah Heubner @ Heubner Headshots @huebnerheadshots pink dress & gold face/body paint: @cocohausphoto black/white: Artist D’Jef Baker @artistdjefbaker