Biography
Kelsey Shryer grew up in Southwest Missouri, deeply engaged in theatrical productions, leadership roles, acting, writing, music, dance, photography, and stage combat during his youth, including choreographing sword fights for stage performances. He began his professional acting training at Creative Actors Studio (formerly Creative Actors Workshop) under Scott-Arthur Allen, a master acting coach and founder of the Creative Actors Process. Kelsey quickly mastered this acclaimed technique, progressing from beginner to professional at twice the speed of most classmates.
In 2010, he wrote the short film "Able," marking his directorial debut, which earned seven film festival nominations. Soon after, his acting coach Scott-Arthur and writer/director Elizabeth Allen cast him in the lead role of their television pilot, "Morning Light." Kelsey also served as an associate producer and stepped in as an editor alongside Elizabeth when post-production was delayed due to the loss of an editor. This collaboration sparked their creative partnership as they tackled editing their first professional independent production together. They co-wrote thirteen synopses for the TV pilot, which attracted interest from the Williams Morris Agency, Paradigm Agency, A&E, and several other networks.
Kelsey then teamed up with Elizabeth Allen for her directorial debut, co-writing the feature film "Little Did He Know," in which he starred. This project also marked his first experience as director of photography. By fall 2014, they completed post-production on their first feature film. Since then, Kelsey has broadened his filmmaking portfolio with numerous short films, including the 2017 short "Poneros," which received multiple film festival nominations.
Starting in 2018, Kelsey shifted his focus back to acting, starring in several short films before landing a supporting role in the SAG-AFTRA feature film "The Riot Act." In 2019, he had the privilege of working with Deborah Barylski, the Emmy-winning casting director of "Arrested Development," who mentored him. After reviewing his self-tapes, headshots, and resume, she praised one of his self-tapes as one of the best auditions she had ever seen, an affirmation that deeply encouraged him.
Since late 2018, Kelsey has been invited to audition for numerous esteemed casting directors, including John McAlary, Elizabeth Barnes, Brandon Henry Rodriguez, Claire Simon, and Dana Lockhart, among others. He has also worked with producers such as Spike Lee, Barry Alexander Brown, Eliza Hittman, Ramaa Mosley, Rose Garnett, Sara Murphy, Adele Romanski, Jeff Rice, Clark Duke, Alan Poa, Paris Kasidokosta Latsis, Ryan R. Johnson, and Stephanie Caleb. Kelsey looks forward to a promising future in acting, confident that with dedication and persistence, he will continue to secure increasingly significant roles.
