We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katy Heavens. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katy below.
Katy, appreciate you joining us today. Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?
I moved to New York three years ago. I had two tiny babies, a husband with a job offer, and a presidential proclamation in my passport allowing us to move – despite the covid travel ban. It was November, it was cold and dark and everyone was wearing masks. The combination of my British accent and a covid mask made communication slow and laboured. We had a rental house with no furniture, and it would be months before our personal items would be delivered, as the ports were all backed up. But, we made it. And bit by bit, we navigated the alien systems allowing us to get drivers licences, find healthcare, register for preschools, sign up for utilities – the bare bones required to build a life. My husband started work, and I got to work fleshing out the bones of our new life – finding baby classes (all outdoors), joining local Facebook mum groups, bundling up and going to the local playground – any way I could think of to meet new people and build a community for the little ones (and, by extension, myself).
Fast forward three years, and my now six and four year old are thriving in nurturing schools, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be active participants in our local community. Having designed and hosted two charity events, I’ve just been elected to the board of our local hospital with a mandate to host another fundraiser this year. We are surrounded by people with young families who have intentionally chosen to be in this place, during this stage of life, and are similarly willing to invest in growing and strengthening our local community. Its wonderful.
But it’s not acting. It’s not creativity for creativity’s sake. And while it’s in my nature to infuse the every day with as much inventiveness as I can, I found there remained an itch left to scratch. I spent 15 years in the music and acting business in London and, it turns out, you can’t just switch that off. Parenthood changes a person and it massively shifted my priorities, but, you get the blood you get. So, off I went into New York City, and found myself some acting workshops.
Beginning again, in a new country, in my thirties. Redefining myself as an individual, as an artist, not ‘just’ as somebody’s mum. Woof. Probably my greatest challenge yet. One which, if I’m honest, is still very much a work in progress. The nature of acting work requires a willingness to be vulnerable, but so too does showing up to class in the first place. The last time I was learning in this way, I was at drama school in London, with the luxury of a single focus. Now, I have to carve out pockets of time, hire a babysitter, and force my brain to disengage from the constant plate-spinning that is parenting young children. I am endlessly frustrated by myself in class- there is a new reticence to take risks, to allow myself to be fully present or to be seen. I don’t always recognise this post-partum version of myself – either physically or emotionally. It sounds awful, doesn’t it? Why put myself through it? Because, occasionally, there is a glimmer of creative fulfilment. Every now and then I get so lost in a scene that I don’t remember what happened. With risk comes reward, and I live for those moments.
So now, I pivot again. Working on the craft is one thing, but it has to mean something. It has to be seen. I have to dig out my business hat and rebrand myself as an actor in New York. And for that, I need representation. New York, the Big Apple, Broadway. Renowned the world over. A terrifying closed book. Or maybe not? Finding a way in, is my next challenge. If there was a blueprint to follow, I would gladly follow it, but there isn’t. It’s trial and error. It’s figuring out who the players are and how to reach them. And not just any old player, but who are my people and how do I connect with them. It’s hanging onto my self esteem after paying-to-play at one of the many studios who will take your money in exchange for ‘networking’. It’s having the courage to walk away from meetings because I don’t want to be one of a thousand actors on one agent’s books. It’s sticking to my guns and knowing my worth, even though I am still grappling with who I am, now, in New York, in 2025.
Its frustrating. Sometimes seemingly impossible. But the alternative is not trying, and I know I would never be satisfied with that. You get the blood you get.
Katy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I trained in Musical Theatre at Mountview, in London. I worked extensively all over the UK in musical theatre and sketch comedy. I’m a founding member of retro girlband, The Tootsie Rollers. With The Tootsies, I travelled all over the world and had a number one single in the iTunes jazz charts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katyheavens.com
- Instagram: katyheavensactor
Image Credits
Just Mort Photography