Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaye Singleton.
Hi Kaye, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was actually in Marketing, working for Luxury Beverage Brands for almost 10 years before I caught the acting bug in a real way! I dibbled and dabbled in acting after college, but it wasn’t something that I was actively pursuing – UNTIL I actually booked a job. It was a tiny role in a student film, but even with those few lines, I realized that I had no idea what I was doing. From there, I started taking classes and fell in love with the craft. So much so, that when I moved to LA for work I was able to enroll and get a scholarship at Stella Adler Academy of Acting. They have a two-year conservatory program that fundamentally changed my life and ignited a passion that I still have today. Eventually, I quit my job and moved back to Atlanta in 2016 to pursue acting full-time. By 2018, I enrolled in writing classes, and by 2020 I had 2 short films under my belt and my first Distribution Deal on the table for my series COVENANT. (currently streaming on allblk, Amazon, and Spectrum TV)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! I think as an actress, we get so used to the struggle for roles, the fight to be seen, the auditions, the rat race, the journey of pursuing this craft that we forget to live life. I think we all struggle with the balance of it all. Of not letting the “no’s” – and there will be plenty in this business – discourage you. I think when you find that balance, you can get to a place of peace. Of knowing that what’s for you is for you, and you’re not actually in competition with anyone but yourself. And even then, give yourself grace. And breaks. And personal care. Take care of yourself and your health spiritually, mentally, and emotionally so that you can continue to lean into your craft and give to the world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Showrunner (still pinching myself!), Writer, Producer, and Actress. My first show, COVENANT, debuted on AMC’s allblk October of 2021 and is still streaming today! Working in this industry, it didn’t take long to realize that there’s not enough women, women of color specifically, that get an opportunity to tell our own stories. And there’s not enough opportunity for the extremely talented acting community and crew that are based here in ATL. So instead of waiting for a seat, I took a page from Tyler Perry’s book and pushed to create a table here in Atlanta – not just for myself – but for this community. I pitched 6 different projects, and to my surprise, COVENANT (which I love) is the one they chose. Being that this was my first foray into being a Showrunner and Executive Producer for an entire series, I went into COVENANT S1 in many ways as a naive kid. BUT NOW…. I feel like I’ve emerged – through much trial, invaluable lessons, pitfalls, and triumphs – as a fully-formed, seasoned “OG” in Production. Learning along the way was difficult but life-changing. It changed me fundamentally and has inspired me to continue creating, writing, and providing opportunities for others to tell stories and produce their projects.
We filmed the entire season here in Atlanta, and it was the first faith-based anthology drama series that took bible stories and thrust them into modern-day times and modern-day circumstances. What would those stories look like in 2022 with the social issues, racial tensions, natural disasters, and disease that we’re dealing with today? It was the first series of its kind on that network with such deep subject matter, and I’m grateful that I was given the opportunity and responsibility to tell those stories in truth and integrity. Speaking of Tyler Perry, I’m also a series regular on one of hit shows, THE OVAL, that airs on Tuesday nights on BET! I play Simone Winter, the beautiful, smart, and cunning wife of the Vice President of the United States. You may have also seen me on BounceTV’s hit show, Saints & Sinners, playing “Josie” which just completed it’s successful 6 seasons run this summer.
I think being on both sides of the camera gives me a unique opportunity to being able to see through both lenses, to tell stories from both sides. And when I’m able to merge the two while creating opportunities for others, feels like pure magic!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Growing up, we would go to my grandparent’s farm in Alabama every summer and holiday. There were so many kids there – my Mom is 1 of 8 so there was always cousins around – that my grandparents got a pony named Tony for us to ride and take care of when we were in town. A lil’ black girl with a pony!!! (Yes, it was a shared pony, but it’s still deserves several exclamation points!!) I vividly remember running out to the pasture and up to the fence, climbing up, and yelling, “Tony!!! Tony the Pony!!!” And he would slowly mosey on over for us to pet and love on him. Such a great memory!
Contact Info:
- Website: road106films.com
- Instagram: @kaye.s
- Other: https://linktr.ee/kayesingleton
