Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kiara Rashawn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kiara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always known that the creative arts would be a major part of my life. At a young age I was trying out singing, praise-dancing, and stepping in church. In elementary school, I performed in school musicals,sang in the choir, and played in the band. Junior -High I would join the step team, dance around in talent shows, and even start a singing group with two of my God-sisters. With high school there was West-African dance, more choir, and BSU productions. By that time I was convinced, I was going to have a thriving career in the arts, as I loudly told a gymnasium full of my peers that I would be “the flyest thing on [their] TV screens”. Though I would continue to dip into the arts through college and my early 20s, with pageants and modeling, and even some local commercials, I never quite had the courage to professionally put myself all the way out there. I had become a mother of twins when I was 21, wed at 26, and had my third daughter soon after. My main dedication and focus was helping to provide for my family. I would utilize my psychology degree working in social/human services and MH/IDD services in Houston, TX. Then, along came a move to Columbus, GA. That move changed everything. I had shifted into the role of stay at home mom, with now five kids. A second set of very fresh twins, being numbers 4 and 5. It did not take long for me to discover I wanted something that was fulfilling for me outside of my home. Knowing that we were only about an hour and a half out of Atlanta, where the tv/film market was growing, I decided to start searching for acting classes in the city. I came across the opportunity to audit a class for free, so I signed up. At the end of the class I knew I would love to at least have fun being surrounded by artist and getting out the house. I left all of my information with the coach so that I could be alerted when the next as to when the next spot was available for me to join class. My first official acting class was May 16, 2018, the day after my birthday. Getting to the class proved to be difficult, as I witnessed the dysfunction that is I-85 traffic for the first time. A hit 18 wheeler would have the freeway shut down for well over 45 minutes. I was so late when I arrive to the class I was told I could not even be let in. Almost in tears, I explained what had happened on the freeway, that I had driven all the way from Columbus, and begged the her to let me in. I have never stopped being thankful that she did. That class left me excited about life, excited about the possibilities, and feeling that joy only performing provides. I knew then that I would dedicate myself to professionally acting, and I have not turned back since.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Thanks to the work I was doing in my acting class and an awesome headshot photographer, I was signed pretty early on in my career by YJB Talent. My incredible agent, Dorecia Carr, took a chance on me and we’ve been rolling ever since. It was through the agency that I connected with the Chubbuck Technique and amazing Coach. Studying the technique and working with Jonna opened me up emotionally in a way that I did not know was possible. I studied as often as I could eventually becoming a master of the technique. One thing I was able to pick up from one of my fellow actors, was the importance of not hoarding information. So, as I learned more from being on set, attending casting events, and different workshops, I began to also share more. I hosted my first self-tape workshop through CoachedByJonna, Inc.. Durying the downtime, that was the Covid pandemic, I became a professional reader through WeAudition. At the start of 2022 I began professional taping through Artistic Heights Academy. I realized I love helping others get on set almost as much as I love being on set myself. One thing I would say, sets me apart from other taping services, is the freedom Actors feel when they step in the room with me. I always make it a point to let them know this is their audition, they are in full creative control, and while I’ll always give them advice that I believe is in their best interest, the time is theirs at the end of the day. It has been a blessing to guide actors through auditions, emotional work, and pass along all that I have learned while continuing my journey. To see the actors I work with securing bookings on Hulu, Nickelodeon, in major features and series has been surreal.

As an actor, I continue to study the craft and learn the business. My amazing coach Angela Davis at ActHer Studios has been one of the best guides in becoming a well rounded actor, who knows her type, and is knowledgeable both in front of the camera, and on the business side of this thing we call“Showbusiness”. I am proud of the work that I continue to put out and the amazing projects I’ve been able to be a part of; From big budget features like Black Adam to short films with ridiculously talented directors like Bobby Huntley, and amazing series on networks, such as AllBlk, there’s no plan to stop now.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s hard to pick just one. Collaborating with other artist always makes me feel so seen and at home. Still, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to feed that kid who lives inside of me. The little girl who just knew she wanted to entertain, tell stories, and use her own experiences to help others. She is so fulfilled every single time I am surrounded by other artists/creatives and able to take ideas from mind, to paper, to film/screen.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

For the first three years of my professional acting career, there were several casting directors in the Southeast market that I wanted to get in front of, and fortunately had the opportunity to. Yet there was one specific CD, I just was not getting called in by. I knew from my agency submission reports that my agent was submitting me for projects that this CD was casting, and I also submitted my self any time I seen one of their breakdowns come up on Actors Access, but the auditions were just not coming through. I could not figure out if it was me as an actor, my look, my Headshots, my reel, and to be honest, it really got to me. Then I was given the advice by my agent to put myself out there, attend more workshops, widen my variety of classes. So I did just that, and ended up in front of this casting director in two different workshops. Since then I continue to regularly audition for this CD. Though I have not booked with them yet, I know that my work and I are not the “problem,” because they continue to audition me, and in this business, that too, is it a win.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/KiaraRashawn
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiaraRashawn
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kiararashawn
• Other: I can be booked for Taping services at https://coachedbyjonnainc.com/ My acting profile is available at https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/kiararashawn