We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sydney Key. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sydney below.

Alright, Sydney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I remember watching the WIZ as a kid, particularly the scenes of the actors singing and dancing, and thinking, “That’s me. That’s where I belong.” As a Professionally trained Actor with over 15 years of experience and 23 years in Dance, I love the connection between performer and Audience. As a theatre Professional, I have dedicated my life to the craft and understanding the tremendous love and devotion that is behind my choice. In this Profession to be in theatre and film, it requires an enormous amount of work and sacrifice and it is often difficult to maintain life and work balance. Being an actor in Film and Theatre is mystical, magical, compelling and consuming. In my Field my job is to connect people and take them through an odyssey of emotional experiences. Acting requires you to be so exposed and vulnerable but its a family like tribe. I love the adrenaline rush.People talk about getting nervous, and that happens once in a while, but at this point I have such positive associations with the rush of energy that happens before an audition or performance that I crave it. This Industry is not for everyone but acting truly fills my heart and my soul. It’s never been for money or fame or adoration. people who do it for those reasons don’t last. I would say it’s a love of the work, but it’s more than that. It’s my calling. It’s who I.

Sydney , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Sydney Alexis Key and I am an arts fanatic that loves the work! As Professionally trained actor in Improvisation, Sanford Meisner, and Konstantin Stanislavski. Discipline and training are the the name of the game, doesn’t matter if you’re a pianist or a dancer or an actor. I’m proud of myself for staying committed. in 3 months of living in Atlanta I have appeared in Productions including Lionsgate Television Starz season 3 “Black Mafia Family” and Apple TV+ Skydance Television “The Big Door Prize” Season 2 My Career has grown rapidly through my performances, training, on-set experience, tireless work ethic and love for the craft.Having spent just my entire life living in Brooklyn New York I moved to Greensboro, NC for a change. It just so happens that it turned out to be one of the wisest career decisions of my life. Not only have I worked on my second degree doing that I love, I have worked consistently in theatre, television, and film. Inspired by my passion for the work as the actor (hence the move from NYC to NC), I also chose to complete the degree I never finished and eventually worked my way towards an BFA in Acting from the illustrious North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro. It was a six-year process woven in and around the birth of the craft and a budding acting career and resigning in Atlanta, Georgia. Whether I am onstage, behind the scenes, on the screen, or being a driving force in my community. With my Career starting in musical theatre and dance at the age of 3, something was instilled in me to grow, and continue the work as an artist. I believe storytelling has the power to edify, inspire, educate and heal and has created discipline for me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

In February 2020 I competed against 1,000 student Actors, was Nominated for the KCACTF Region IV Marvin Simms Diversity Award, and won my first ever Award as an Actor. The most rewarding about being an Actor is opportunity to travel for my craft and meeting all sorts of fascinating people during set calls and production. Acting has introduced me to different worlds and cultures beyond my own knowledge and expanded my mind to experience and understand the lives of others and the roles portrayed in the borders of society. As an Actor the mindset becomes opened in a way that can’t be explained.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

With the Strike in action, I need Society to see that actors, producers and entertainers are the very core of story tellers. Art, acting and performance are an expression of life – our cultures, our worries, our love, our strengths, our weaknesses and our existential curiosity. It is political and spiritual in equal measure. It can stimulate debate, educate, dissect life or rise up against oppression. It is relevant because our culture and our art is our defining characteristic. We’re living in a time of big political and social change which bring a lot of uncertainty to our lives. This is the time when we need artists and storytellers who create works through which we can better connect to this new world.

Contact Info:

• Website: sydneyalexiskey.com
• Instagram: @syd.alexis_

Image Credits
Leland Durand