Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirstie Carrizales.
Kirstie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and went to school at Fordham University in New York. Honestly, I hated my whole time there. It wasn’t the city or the people, it was me. I was not being honest with myself about what I wanted and I denied my artistic needs to try to fit into a world that wants you to settle, make money, and use your voice.
I have always wanted to act and I have always loved comedy. In 2014, I signed up for my first real improv class at Upright Citizen’s Brigade. I really can’t believe it’s been so long since then, but this class reaffirmed my path. However, I gave up on myself AGAIN! I became lost for quite a while. It’s okay, I don’t blame her. Past me was not mentally healthy or prepared to face the real world. In fact, I forgive her. She gave me many experiences and mistakes to learn from…and to create from.
Now, I am an artist of many titles: actor, comedian, and writer.
I returned to comedy in 2017 at Dallas Comedy House in Deep Ellum. I used to pass by its old location on Commerce all the time, but only ventured in once to look at it and then quickly went outside to smoke a cigarette. However, along with cigarettes, I gave up my bad habit of denying myself of my dreams. I signed up to take classes and told myself that I would succeed in every single way. And I am.
I have learned through DCH’s Improv, Sketch and Standup programs. I graduated an Improv Conservatory at Stomping Ground Comedy. I have become a regular performer. I met the love of my life. I was in a local commercial. I co-wrote and starred in my own short film. I’m in a web series. I have played with Four Day Weekend. I’m in a short film on Amazon Prime. I am in my first comedy festival. Holy Moly.
I am continuing to succeed.
My goal this year is to be the lead in an independent film. I will succeed at this too because I realized that being a multi-creative is one of the hardest things to do. You have to recommit, you have to overcome, you have to try. And I am capable of those things. We all are. Even when I was the girl who used to be depressed, hollow, and hiding. I recommit to being healthier, I overcame my struggles, and I tried every day to show who I really was. I proved to myself that I did not have to stay unhappy. I could let go of whatever was holding me back and charge forward again. If there’s anything I really want to say with my story, it’s that every artist has their path, things take time, and life will not support your dreams. Only you can do that, with real work. So find your community, volunteer, take classes, do work every day, and immerse yourself with the art that you love. You will come out better on the other side. But even then, it’s not over. Go in again and keep going and don’t stop creating.
Kirstie performs regularly at Dallas Comedy House, Four Day Weekend, and Stomping Ground Comedy. You can see her perform on improv teams such as BOYOIYOING, Brownie Troupe #3025, Cuddlefish, Full Body Cast, and Left on Read OR sketch troupe Power Walkers.
You can also see her at The Dallas Comedy Festival in the TX Two Step, Full Body Cast, The Midnight Society, and The Industry Character Showcase.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh no, not at all. I think committing to your art is scary. There’s not a lot of security (money) in pursuing your art. At least not at first! It is also really hard to find a job that you love that will either feed your artistic wants or that will give you the flexibility to feed elsewhere. Also, I truly think all artists struggle with some form of depression. When you feel it all, you feel it ALL. You know what I mean? I was suffering from different versions of heartbreak: loss of love, change, growing up, struggling to find creative jobs, partying too much (basically the sad version of what people say “being in your 20s” is).
Kirstie Carrizales – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m an actor, comedian, and writer. I perform improv and sketch comedy regularly at Dallas Comedy House. I co-wrote and starred in Order Anyway, which played at Flatland Film Festival in Lubbock last year. I also starred in a short film called The In-Between on Amazon Prime. Sales from the film are donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), one of the nation’s largest mental health organizations.
I think what sets me apart from others is my unique voice.
I’m a queer, androgynous, Hispanic woman. I see the world very differently.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by not giving up on yourself, even when you already have. Whatever you want, you have to have this strong relationship with yourself. Because life is not just going to give you what you want. You have to put yourself out there. You have to recommit, you have to overcome, and you have to try. (Do you see all the ‘you’s in here?) Success is a never-ending loop of looking in the mirror, standing tall, and not giving up.
Contact Info:
- Website: kirstiecarrizales.com
- Instagram: kirtieee
Image Credit:
Rosey Blair, Jason Hensel, Nick Melita
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