Kelly Park, Part 1: A Director's Journey of Improv, Family, and Fearlessness

Kelly, Cher and Shelly chat about language our kids use (0:00), Kelly shares how she and John took on the great adventure of moving to LA when Sydney was 5 years old, they didn’t know anyone, and then Kelly got a job at the Hollywood Improv (5:19), Kelly on mindset, how her mom taught her to be bold, and that she and John continue this with Sydney, being aware of opportunities (10:04).

 

Support Us via Patreon @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Kelly Park

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

 

EXTENDED SUMMARY:

 

In this inspiring episode of Creative Mamas Unplugged, hosts Shelly Hutchinson and Cherice Barton sit down with filmmaker, director, and creative force Kelly Park, whose story is a masterclass in courage, creativity, and family unity.

Kelly shares her incredible journey to the director’s chair—one that began when her daughter, at just five years old, started performing improv comedy. Over the years, the family has risen together through each of their creative paths, supporting one another’s artistic pursuits and dreams. Kelly affectionately refers to them as “The Trinity,” a reflection of their shared strength, collaboration, and purpose as a family.

She opens up about how her passion for improv landed her a coveted coverage job at The Hollywood Improv, the very same stage where her daughter first performed. From those roots, the family has grown and thrived together—each success building upon the next.

 

FOLLOW KELLY:

Instagram: @kelp1031

IMDb @ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3815120/

Alliance of Women Directors @ https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/icon-spotlight-on-kelly-park/

Film Fatales @ https://www.filmfatales.org/directors/kellypark/

 

FOLLOW US: 

Instagram @creativemamasunplugged

Facebook @creativemamasunplugged

Apple Podcasts  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Spotify  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Amazon Music  @CreativeMamasUnplugged  

YouTube  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

iHeart Radio  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Podbean  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

KELLY’S BIO:

Director Kelly Park is from Philly. Her early years were spent attending Quaker schools, which helped shape a unique life perspective. After launching her career as a marketer and project manager in the technology and advertising industries, she decided to switch things up. Inspired by her actress mother to listen to her "funny bone", she took a leap of faith, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. She began studying at Second City and The Groundlings, which led to commercials, short films, and sketch comedies. However, she soon realized being in front of the camera wasn't what fed her soul, teaching was. This eventually would lead to teaching children and young adults the fundamentals of acting and improv. Kelly quickly became one of the most sought-after acting coaches in television, working on numerous pilots and television shows for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Amazon, and Netflix. From there, Kelly transitioned to Director, debuting on the Emmy Award-nominated Netflix show, ALEXA & KATIE, ultimately directing multiple episodes. She has since directed numerous episodes such as GRACE & FRANKIE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, STATION 19, and the upcoming FRASIER revival, as well as becoming a pilot Director for COUNTRY COMFORT (Netflix), BLACK DON'T CRACK (ABC), LOPEZ VS. LOPEZ (NBC), and most recently, NON-EVIL TWIN (NBC). She is also a writer/producer and is currently developing several projects with her producing partner husband, John, having recently sold a multi-cam comedy to Universal Television, as well as to CBS Studios.