Meet Keisha Tillis | Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keisha Tillis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keisha, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I worked at Chris Tucker’s Comedy Cafe back in the late 90’s. I was in school pursuing a pre-med degree when I was introduced to a lady who was putting on a stage play. I went to work that day and because the auditions were held downstairs from the cafe, I went to audition on my lunch break. When I auditioned I was clueless to what I was doing. I just followed the script! Later that week, I received a call from the director saying that she wanted to hire me for the female lead. I was shocked! I never pursued acting before. When I took the stage in the character, I felt a freedom and a natural ability that I had never felt before. NO STRIVING! Just being.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been told that I am a very genuine person. I believe that personality trait has spilled over into the way I develop characters. As they say “Art is the imitation of Life”. I believe one of the things that set me apart from others is no one can do what I do because they are not me. Nor would I be able to do what they do because I am not them. We are all wonderfully and fearfully made. I would say that I do have a great ability to handle subtlety, which in my line of work is good. I am most proud of my impact on the world as God allows me to use this art form. It feels good to hear people say how they were impacted after connecting with a character. I have spent many days and nights just staying consistent with the process of being an actor such as auditioning, networking with studying. Once in my career, I didn’t work for three years and was still auditioning. Giving up in the subconscious was not an option. It kept me going and helped me defy what I saw with the natural eye. “Easy”, has never been in the same sentence with what I do, however James chapter 1 verses 2 through 4 have been in play. I was able to overcome the challenges by practicing Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1. Belief is very powerful! I have learned along the way that all things work together. If you pray and be patient you will see the thing you are praying for come to pass. I have seen it! What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that truly I am a sign and wonder. I am peculiar and what I have to offer is different. It’s also important to let people know that I am genuinely a lover of men. I sincerely want the best for us. We are all VAULABLE! Every soul is important. Furthermore when you truly stop worrying about what people think that is when your path begins to match your purpose!

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?
Honestly, I find my hobbies outside of the city limits. I am BIG on the mountains and I love the ocean. There are so many attractions in the city though. I would start with history. MLK Center and the High Museum of Art along with the Atlanta History Center and National Center for Civil and Human Rights. We would move from history to spend a day during a food tasting and tour. My favorite restaurant is Houston’s. Chops has some of the best Lobster Tail, you have ever tasted. Fogo de Chao has the best Himalayan salt steak that I have tasted. We would take trips there. They would be my standout ones. We would tour the Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park. For the NightLife, I would shoot for Pounce City Market or Fox Theater to catch an event. I love comedy, I would try to catch a comedy show. We would visit Ninemile station, you can get a view of the city. Sky View Atlanta looks nice at night, I would encourage my friend to ride the Skyview of Atlanta and take a couple of selfies. We would also put our walking shoes on and hit the beltline with some wine tasting and bike riding. We would explore the sites where they filmed Stranger Things and The Walking Dead. A few of these things can be pulled together in the 90 Minute Trolley tour that the City offers. We would have to spend a day at the theme park of Six Flags over Ga. Some of the locals know about historic Arburn Ave. Trap Music Museum is a late attraction too that is on the Westside. We would view the Cities street art in some towns like Cabbagetown, and Summerhill. We would end with our favorite house of worship for some inspiration and Joy!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Parents! I dedicate this to my mother because she allowed me to experience the hardships and courage it took to be a single parent who was a professional woman and had a “less than perfect” life, with disappointments and victories. Because of those experiences in my childhood, I was able to connect emotionally to my feelings and express them without hindrance and care. When I was slated to attend Norfolk State after immediately graduating high school, I had an epiphany in the hallways at the admissions counter. I needed my father. I didn’t understand it then because my dad didn’t raise me. I immediately told my mother that I had to hold off enrollment and see my dad. Thank God both parents were flexible. My Dad introduced me to Christ. What a foundation that laid that words cannot explain! All of these circumstances set me on the path to success.

Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1961756?ref_=hm_nv_usr_profile

Instagram: @keishatillis

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-tillis-66a6983a/

Image Credits
Norman Reedus-white guy in photo Dexter Tillis-black guy in photos Frank Darabout guy directing scene Leah Butler Daniels in photo with Dexter and I Kevin Harrison Jr. photo in front of the trailer with me John Douglas Thompson in period peace photo for Movie Till