Kaya Vision shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Kaya, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I am being called to do art. I was working and putting my entire life into hospitality for the last 12+ years. Last year, I sold everything I owned, packed up my car, and was accepted into the Stella Adler Art of Acting professional conservatory in LA. It was time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Folks in Baltimore may have recognized me from my hospitality career. I may have been your Barista at places like Spro, Dooby’s, Artifact, or Bird in Hand. You may have seen me behind the bar at Ida B’s Table, Handlebar Cafe, or the BSC Cocktail Gallery. I was a leader at most of those places, plus AGM at Ida B’s Table, Food & Beverage Manager at the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, and an officer of the Baltimore Bartender’s Guild. I was also working at Ekiben as a service consultant for the past year.
If you don’t know me from that world, you may know me from the Baltimore theatre scene. I graduated from Baltimore School for the Arts in 2012 when I started working professionally in the community at theatre project. Graduated from Towson University with my BFA in Acting in 2016. I have worked with the likes of Submerssive Theatre, Single Carrot, Center Stage, Iron Crow, StillPoint, and is a company member with ACME Theatre company. In 2017, I joined the TWIGS faculty at the Baltimore School for the Arts and in 2019 became a faculty member teaching 4 levels of voice and movement in the Acting department. I am also on the board of the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, an incredible after school program located at CCBC Essex.
I, last year, left Baltimore. I have joined the Stella Adler Art of Acting Conservatory in Los Angeles and am working for world renowned chef Jordan Kahn as a Lead Server at Michelin Starred Meteora in West Hollywood.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
It had to be my teachers and mentors. They saw my potential when they gave me the literal or metaphorical keys to the restaurant, theatre, project, classroom, or hotel. I never thought that I was ready to open the space and be present but they knew I was.
It was just this past year that I have been able to say, “I am good at this.”
Then of course my family, whether it’s my immediate family or my chosen family who continue to encourage me to continue on a daily basis while I am still out here in California.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of failure and letting others down. I think many can relate. Truly, this fear was debilitating. I wouldn’t try to attempt to make change or implement change. All I could do was complain about things not changing. When I started reframing ”failures” as opportunities, I began to see the path to continue to move forward. Changes would sometimes not work and that was okay. Time to try something new.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the one that I heard the most in hospitality and theatre (I view both as art) is that you have to suffer for your art. I think it is important to care and I care DEEPLY to the point where I have lost sleep to ensure a show or an event goes perfectly but… one must survive to make an impact. Get rest. Stay healthy. Take care of yourself so that you have the ability to continue to take care of people and tell stories.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. It’s about integrity. Sometimes in capitalist environments it is not sustainable HOWEVER, I truly believe what goes around will come back around even if no one sees or hears about it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kayavision
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaya-vision-b39b1a7a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Zebadiah Potler Photography IG: @zpotler
