Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Adorno.
Hi Kayla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as a performer and teaching artist began in childhood. I was an incredibly quiet and painfully shy child that could often be found reading fiction books in school hallways. I loved stories. At a young age I was introduced to the world of live storytelling, theatre, by my step-grandmother who took my siblings and I to see The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre. I was enamored by the puppets dancing through the aisles, the singing, and the colors of the stage. It was magical. That experience ignited an intense yearning to be a part of that magic. I learned quickly that child theatre classes were not easily accessible for families on tight financial budgets like mine. Nonetheless, I took advantage of performance art related elective classes. High school was a formative time of my life. I found myself struggling socially, wishing I could fit in when I saw my school’s production of A Chorus Line. This gave me the motivation to audition for advanced drama class, improv team, and try out for school musicals and plays. It was then that I found my people. Additionally, it was in the same drama class that I began writing my own dramatic monologues which I entered into contests at theatre festivals that our class would take field trips to compete in.
After high school, I went on to take theatre college courses at Palomar College and performed in productions that opened my eyes to theatre’s ability to spark dialogue regarding social and political issues. What was additionally impactful was that the college provided access for youth to experience free performances. I can link the trajectory of my career as a youth theatre instructor to the time I performed in a play adaptation of “Esperanza Rising” for an audience of middle schoolers. After the show, they had an opportunity to participate in a talk-back where many of them expressed that they wanted to pursue theatre themselves. It was then that I began envisioning myself as a theatre teacher, sharing the art with children that needed that outlet in their lives. When it came time to choose a university to transfer to, I weighed my options in claiming a performance major or pivot into youth education. I was often told by other Latino actors that San Diego has a great Latiné theatre scene so when I discovered that San Diego State University has a Youth Theatre Emphasis program, I applied to explore both worlds.
Attending San Diego State was the best decision I ever made. I found my theatre latiné community by joining Teatro Azteca, where I met Mario Vega and Eliza Vedar, an incredibly talented playwright and musical composing duo. Together they wrote and produced musicals that showcased stories told by BIPOC actors. They would eventually produce “Daydreamer” with Tuyo Theatre which became my first paid acting opportunity. My professors at SDSU impacted me immensely. Offering me new perspectives, engaging us to converse on topics ranging from human psychology to cultural anthropology, emphasizing that the truth is in the context. I also immersed myself in Chicano Studies, gaining perspective on historical events that would later inspire the development of my youth play, “Si Se Puede”.
Shortly after receiving a B.A. in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Youth Theatre, I was informed by a former professor that one of his former students, Crystal Mercado, the founder of the nonprofit youth organization Bocón Theatre, was looking for an intern. She took me under her wing, allowing me to sit in on board meetings, giving me my first experience in classrooms assisting in theatre workshops and associate producing plays for young audiences. Through Bocón, I was introduced to the The San Diego Guild of Puppetry. Together, they provided summer camps where children made and performed with puppets. The executive director, Lynne Jennings, welcomed me into the puppeteering community, giving me my first black puppeteering gloves. Working with the Guild has opened my eyes to the power of crafting characters with children. Even the most introverted child, is compelled to speak through a puppet.
My first year being an independent theatre artist was a world-wind. Once word got out of my work with youth, another former professor of mine, Dani Bedau sent me two life altering emails. The first being an invitation to a teaching artist workshop at The Old Globe that led to my employment in their Creative Youth Studio Program. The second being an audition notice for a play with a company called Imagine Brave Spaces. Zion’s Story was the title of the play, a child- trafficking awareness and prevention program. Catherine Hanna Schrock, the artistic director of Imagine, hired me as an understudy, then later a lead in her bullying prevention program, Safa’s Story. She also invested in my passion for the social and emotional development of children, inviting me into training that covered trauma-informed and culturally responsive styles of teaching. I would go on to be a lead teaching artist in various residencies with Imagine, expanding my experience in all ages across the San Diego and El Cajon School Districts.
Throughout all of this, I was attending a weekly zoom Latinx playwriting workshop, formed by Mabelle Reynoso. In these zoom sessions, I began to write my own plays as well as co- produce staged readings. This workshop would be named Pa’Letras and these meetings assisted the development of “¡Si Se Puede!”, a story set in Barrio Logan about a girl named Luz who dreams of becoming a muralist. With the help of her family, a nosey puppet neighbor, and historical female figures, she gains the confidence to pursue her dream. The aim of this play was to inspire children to believe in themselves as well as teach them about the history of the Logan Heights community. I believed it was important that the play contained a full latina cast, with sprinkles of Spanish throughout. Bocón Theatre along with the help of Tuyo Theatre and the California Arts Council, funded “¡Si Se Puede!” and it was performed for Balboa Elementary in December 2025, produced by Tara Ricasa and directed by myself.
Today, I continue to sustain myself as a full-time artist. As I look back at my accomplishments, I realized opportunities were presented to me because I was loud in expressing my interest. I always showed up to class, rehearsals, meetings, and work eager to grow in this art. I thank all of the professors that recognized my fire and mentors that continue to guide me today. I am far from being that quiet child in school, now I take pride in helping countless children find their own confidence. The best part of it all, is that I do it by being authentically myself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were various moments of struggle throughout my career. When I first entered the professional theatre production scene, I would take on tasks that were out of my experience level, causing intense stress and self doubt. It took courage, but I found my voice in asking for help in areas I was unfamiliar. As a teaching artist, when it came to learning how to manage theatre classes, there were and still are times when I am faced with unkind behavior. I still choose to show up, communicate and always give the students clear boundaries. It is still important, however, to let them know I believe in them by still inviting them back in after some reflection because everyone has the potential to grow. Speaking on boundaries in my personal life, I have also learned to set them to maintain a healthy work/life balance. I recommend this to all artists.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a full time artist. I am a playwright, director, actor and teaching artist that also works in music. I am passionate about building community and telling stories that spark dialogue and change. What makes me unique is that I love extending my roots, learning new areas of entertainment, always staying open to adapting my skills. If a small company needs an Assistant Stage Manager that also serves as an actor in the show, sure I can do that, and I have. If there’s a theatre fundraising event and a DJ is needed to set a fun vibe, I have that skill in my back-pocket as well. Supporting my art community is my passion. I most proud of producing experiences where people feel connected. I also take pride in taking part in organizations that provide access to art for children at no cost to them as I believe art is essential to youth development.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My love for performing was evident growing up, my siblings and I would often make up routines to our favorite songs and perform them for our parents.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _kaylaadorno
