Meet A.C. Kimsey | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with A.C. Kimsey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi A.C., why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
There’s a quote I keep as my phone wallpaper from poet Tania Hart that says, “You have the desire / to make your art for a reason. / People are thirsty for it / hungry for it, / waiting for the medicine / it would bring. / Do not deny them. / Do not deny yourself. / Create your art / and share the healing.” Acting has always been extremely therapeutic for me, and I have found I struggle with my own thoughts and demons significantly more when I am not acting consistently, and thus do not have an outlet for my emotions. Over years of being reminded that pursuing a career in acting was risky, not realistic, difficult, I searched for other career paths, other hobbies, hoping to find something sensible that lit my soul on fire the way acting does. Simply put–there is nothing else for me outside of acting. Acting is my divine purpose and the avenue through which I connect with myself and others on a deeply spiritual level.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think my versatility is what sets me apart from others. I am extremely multifaceted and am able to mesh well with any group of people. This definitely helps with acting, but in a more technical sense, is super helpful working on film sets or in theatre. Art, and acting specifically, is not a one-person job. It requires a team of dedicated actors and artists all working towards the same outcome. So much of acting is about connecting with others; the ability to be empathetic, emotionally available, and able to bounce off others’ energy. It is this connection that makes me so excited about acting, and feels like home to me. I think the most difficult aspect for me, and something most artists struggle with, is overcoming imposter syndrome and drowning out the noise and opinions of those around you. While most are well-intentioned, it is important to have some kind of tunnel vision through which you view the pursuit of your career. Overcoming this is much easier said than done, but it is important to remember that everyone cannot see your vision, and they’re not supposed to, because it is yours and yours alone. Being able to be dynamic and adaptable is important on set, but also important as an actor because you must be open and willing to mold and contort yourself into the shape of whatever character you are portraying.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has really exploded over the last several years, so luckily there are endless opportunities to have fun and try something new. I personally love the ambiance of the Select in Sandy Springs. With floral arrangements hanging from the ceiling and CBD oil on the menu, it is a super cool place to experience, and they have an incredible béchamel lasagna. As far as food goes, Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar on Edgewood has great chicken and hookah and serves as an Atlanta staple. For a fun rooftop vibe, Drawbar on top of the Bellyard Hotel has awesome mocktails and crawfish hushpuppies that are to die for. If we’re planning far in advance and want something a little more formal, the Garden Room under the St. Regis is a must-visit if only just for the indoor greenery and flaming hot Cheeto-encrusted chicken. Lastly, the week definitely couldn’t pass without seeing a show at the Alliance or the Aurora Theatre, both irreplaceable fixtures in the Atlanta theatre scene.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I simply would not be where I am today without my high school director and mentor, Lorraine Thompson. It was through her guidance that I discovered my love for and natural inclination towards acting. As an adult, my acting was affected and shaped by a professor I had a few times at Kennesaw State University, Prof. Jan Wikstrom. I chose to transfer to KSU in 2016 because I discovered Jan was, at the time, the head of acting for the Theatre & Performance Studies department, and had trained under and worked with esteemed acting teacher and actor, Uta Hagen. Jan sharpened my acting tool kit and hammered into me the sheer discipline required to pursue an acting career. I will forever be grateful for these two brilliantly gifted, artistic, and complex women.

Website: https://linktr.ee/kingcandlah

Instagram: @kingcandlah

Image Credits
Headshots by Hailee Morgan