Kayla Raelle (she/her)
Director/Producer
Kayla hails from the small town of Galena, IL. A graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, she earned her BFA in Acting accompanied by studies in Sociology. It has been her greatest honor yet collaborating on Black & Blue with the remarkably talented Jamar Gilbert.
Her desire as a performing artist is to combine her love for acting with her love for humanity and to share her views on the meaning of social justice; the acceptance, freedom, and celebration of all humankind. She aims to challenge and inspire, while being challenged and inspired through the magic of human movement and connection, both on the stage and on the screen. Her passion for creative teaching and collaboration has manifested itself through her work as Director of The Theatre School’s Summer High School Training Program, as well as a prior teaching artist the children’s theatre/circus group, Circo Fantazztico in San Isidro del General, Costa Rica, and Northwestern University’s “Cherubs” program, where she was a cherub herself.
Kayla recently wrapped starring roles in the feature films Lethal Desire (LIFETIME | Dir. David Benullo), Lethal Altitude (LIFETIME | Dir. Andres Beltran), Murder in Paradise (Indie Thriller | Richard Switzer), and The Clutterbucks (SAG Dark Comedy | Dir. Rich Ronat). Additional credits include Rounding (Theatrical Release | Dir. Alex Thompson) and the lead in Goodnight Stranger (SAG Psych. Thriller | Dir. Yeva Dashevsky). On stage, Kayla has performed in productions with some of Chicago’s most respected companies, including Writers Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Victory Gardens, TimeLine, Sideshow, First Floor, Redtwist, and others.
