​COVID tested, Equity approved.

I’ve felt conflicted about sharing this exciting news out of respect for other creatives (and knowing how fortunate I am to be given such an opportunity whilst our industry is at a standstill) but I also don’t want any feeling of guilt or the possibility of upsetting anyone take away from the pure unmitigated JOY as well.

I’m about to tackle a BUCKET LIST show, at my favorite theatre I’ve worked at thus far, with what I’m positive will be a superb creative team and company.

I’ll also say I would have never taken this job had it not been approved by Equity; my beloved Arts Center has gone above and beyond to ensure every workers’ livelihood and safety is in no way compromised, and as an EMC member, it is so comforting to know that I’m being protected by the Union, and that the theatre I’ll be working at has OUR best interest in mind as a company, team, and hired individuals. No job is ever worth your health or safety, no matter HOW good it is, and our 45 page safety protocol requirements as well as being COVID tested three times a week is necessary and relieving.

Grateful? Absolutely. Excited? Definitely.

But also, very much looking forward to celebrating OTHERS’ joys when more theatres get approved and offer safe creative spaces for their company, workers, and audiences.

Don’t worry, be Poppy 👩🏻‍🦰

IG: @kaylaryanwalsh

I'll be producing an online staged reading of Lauren Gunderson's The Revolutionists as well as I'll be playing Marie Antoinette! I've been doing online readings throughout quarantine, and I re-fell in love with Lauren Gunderson's The Revolutionists a few months ago, and wanted to assemble a badass team to bring this show to life. I asked my dear friend Billie Aken-Tyers to direct, because I know she could elevate this piece to incredible heights even through a screen, and asked my dear friend (and previous roommate at Theatre Aspen!) Domino Mannheim to Stage Manage! I'm also playing opposite one of my FAVORITE performers, Kuhoo Verma (whose performance in Octet has been one of my favorite of all time!) All ticket proceeds will be donated to The ACLU, and the reason why we're performing the show on August 18th is because it's the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Just seemed fitting, no? Can't wait to jump in! Check out more info below: 

​The Revolutionists 
By Lauren Gunderson
August 18th, 8pm EST, Online 
​All proceeds will be donated

Director: Billie Aken-Tyers (She/Her)
Stage Manager: Domino Mannheim (She/Her)
Olympe De Gouges: Kuhoo Verma (She/They)
Marianne Angelle: Imani Youngblood (She/Her) 
Charlotte Corday: McKenzie Custin (She/Her)
Marie Antoinette: Kayla Ryan Walsh (She/Her)

Update: We raised over $1000 for The ACLU in our one night performance!

Revisiting Much Ado About Nothing, this time, playing our favorite ENFP heroine, Beatrice! Tomorrow we have our first performance online via Zoom, as well as Saturday. It's been a joy to have something artistically fulfilling during this pandemic to look forward to, and I'm so glad I got to explore a dream role for a slice of time. 

I'll be portraying Beatrice in Fleeing Artists Theatre's online production of Much Ado About Nothing! 
Excited to revisit Much Ado, this time in the leading lady's shoes, and explore what it's like to be directed and collaborate via Zoom. I'll be part of the cast with folks from all over the country, as well as parts of Canada.
Thankful to have something artistic to look forward to during this time.
​Live performances via Zoom will be over the weekend of June 26th-28th (times TBD) - more details coming soon! ​

I just finished the narration for Billie Aken-Tyers' short radio play series entitled "We Carry On." It's been fun to jump into the VO world a bit during quarantine. Episodes coming soon! 

This fall I'll be heading to one of my favorite places : The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina to play Pat in Kinky Boots! Total bucket list show, and so looking forward to working with both Evan Pappas and Eugenio Contenti, our wonderful director and choreographer! 

Finally got to accomplish something that's been on my bucket list for a majority of my life - go to Paris! 

I spent a much needed week exploring all over the city, and got into a whole lot of Parisian mischief during my time. Truly an unforgettable experience, and definitely have a strong feeling of wanderlust. 

​Looking forward to seeing what 2020 holds! 

Currently enjoying taking in the beautiful Roanoke, Virginia, for Mill Mountain Theatre's production of The Sound of Music this holiday season, and playing everyone's favorite sassy/deadpan nun, Sister Berthe. ​

Monday I head back to my home-away-from-home, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina to play Greta Ohlsson in Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express! Can't wait to tackle my first murder mystery, and finally get to show off my Swedish accent... and lay on the beach... that too. 
​