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From acting on stage to joining curtain calls, Kai Chisholm (B.I.S '26) has enjoyed every moment at Georgia State University. Meet Kai in this article and learn about the actor, writer and friend you will want on your trivia team.
Who is Kai?
Hi, I'm Kai Chisholm (they/she), and I'm a graduating senior majoring in Theatre and Applied Linguistics. I'm a Black and Filipino actor, writer, partner, gamer, cat mom, nerd and much more!
How did you decide on Georgia State University and acting as your concentration?
I chose GSU during COVID and the Black Lives Matter summer. I had just graduated with an Associate's in Acting from the American Academy for Dramatic Arts, NY, a time when Broadway and sets were closed. At AADA, I was already thinking about earning my bachelor's, so COVID helped me decide. I started at GSU without picking a major, and it took almost a year and a half, including almost dropping out and long gap semesters, to choose Applied Linguistics. I got more involved in GSU's mainstage plays in Fall '23 when I was cast in Bunmi & Babajide. About a year later, I added Theatre as a second major. A big reason was found while working as an acting apprentice in Papingo, Greece, in summer '22. There, I met theatre workers from all over North America. It reminded me who I am, what I love and why I love theatre.
You have worked on many theatre projects during your time here. Which one is your favorite?
Bunmi & Babajide was my first, EVERYBODY second, a tribute to the late Dr. Shirlene Holmes in-between, Blood Wedding, Shrek the Musical and Shakespeare Night Live. My favorite of these projects has to be Shrek the Musical. I played Princess Fiona, which has been one of my dream roles! Prior to Shrek, I had not been in a musical since my senior year of high school. Being a part of that show felt like I had come full circle back to myself, my craft and the community in and around it.
Next steps after college?
The world is my oyster! Currently, I will be moving up to Connecticut. Not only will I be closer to New York City, but I will also be closer to the wealth of theatre opportunities that lie in the Northeast. I am currently interviewing for the Company Management and YouthStage Production Manager positions at the Sharon Playhouse, a regional theatre in Connecticut. I have also just heard back from Playhouse on Park about apprenticeship positions for education and development/fundraising. After that, I’m not quite sure! And that’s the beauty of it, right? In addition to all these things, I am working on my application for Connecticut’s teaching certification program. Somewhere down the line, I would like to end up in a classroom teaching students about the art form.
Any advice for our incoming acting students?
Your professors are INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS who have their own wealth of knowledge and their own creative communities. They are here not only to teach you, but to help you along your artistic path. Soak up every moment, audition for everything, try new things, study every technique under the sun, and don’t forget to LIVE while doing it. College is fun, college is hard, but you will be so proud of the things you have and will accomplish by the end of it. And work as a techie often!
Learn more about our BIS in Theatre with an Acting Concentration HERE.