Press
Meet Aileen Kyoko
We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aileen Kyoko. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aileen below.
Aileen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I always knew, yes! By Elementary school, I was obsessed with theatre and performing. My first role was playing a clam in a production of “Peter Pan”, a real method acting moment. As a little girl, I could be shy and anxious but when I got to act on stage, I felt free and consumed by the imaginary world.
By middle school, I was declaring my dream career path. I would space out during class and write about my dreams of becoming a professional actor in bad cursive in a Lisa Frank notebook.
When I was 12 I was casted as Helen Keller in the play “The Miracle Worker”. It was a super intense and physical role but I went all-in, pouring my soul into that performance.
Review of Everything is Fine
“Everything is fine” is a crazy fun short film. It is like the mirror to our daily life, particularly to couples who decided to take the next step to get by the new norm and quarantined together. This movie showcased how pandemic anxiety has taken over many of us, on how we try to manage to live our lives but with continuous fear. The amazing factor about this film is the way it gave light to the situation. Its creators, Mark St. Cyr(Director) and Aileen Kyoko(Writer), who also played the part as the couple, understand the underlying concern that bothers many of us amidst this pandemic.
Artist Profile: Playwright Aileen Kyoko
"It was a priority for me to cast The Year of the Solar Eclipse with diversity in mind. As a minority writer and director, I knew this was my opportunity to finally have some control over that. I love theatre because it can be much more inclusive than film..."
The Year of the Solar Eclipse Comes to Planet Connections
"Aileen Kyoko, Ezra Bynum and Matthew Tyler present Ms. Kyoko's engrossing dramedy about three friends during a solar eclipse. As the world moves from light to day and back to light, the three friends begin a journey in which their lives resemble the eclipse..."
Review of The Year of the Solar Eclipse
"The whole thing is just so relatable with a strong storyline lead by charismatic characters. The play has the pace and wit of a movie, but is more intense and impressive because actors are there in front of you, live, being genuinely funny and talented..."
Exclusive Coverage: Aileen Kyoko
"I’m still growing as an artist on every level but I’ve learned so much about trusting your voice creatively. When you put something out there it’s always going to have your unique voice and finding it and honing it is such a process..."
Wanna meet an interesting playwright...
"I am naturally drawn towards working in dramedy because to me, that’s what life is. I love going into the depth of life challenges but also being able to see it through the lens of comedy. Because trust me, there’s always something to laugh at..."
Great Show Under the Sun
"During the play they experience a lifetime of self-discovery. Their relationships meld, strain and reconnect as they go through love found, love lost, betrayal and reconciliation..."