In a whirlwind of life-changing adventures, Australian actor Kelsie McDonald has spun through a dizzying array of experiences, from residing accidentally in four different countries, enduring a 14-month unintended stay in Mexico during the pandemic, to navigating Hollywood—albeit from the pavement after flying over the handlebars of a public scooter. Her journey has been filled with language mix-ups, embarrassing moments and the occasional trauma add to that the ear-piercing smashing of dropped plates, crazy patrons and behind-the-kitchen-door hijinks at her restaurant job, Kelsie undeniably has rich ingredients for her debut one-woman theatre show.
The always warm, sometimes goofy, blonde actor with the plate-sized eyes is serving up a hilarious and heart-felt story inspired by her action-packed life at the United Solo Theatre Festival this April.
The show centres around the character of Sydney, Kelsie’s alter-ego – an appropriate name considering the Los Angeles-based actor was born and raised in Australia. Sydney works at The Day Job restaurant serving the best, and the worst characters in LA, who provide their own side dishes of mirth.
“I think the audience will resonate with the humour from everyday situations that Sydney finds herself in,” Kelsie said. “Those ‘Oh no’ moments, or ‘yeah, my embarrassing grandpa was just like that’.”
She is collaborating with Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez on upcoming projects, has written, produced, and acted in the superhero proof of concept film The Power Within which is receiving growing recognition, and is in the throes of developing a female-centric TV series with Chicago-grown comedian Liz Zagoni. This is her production company, People Power Pictures, first theatre show.
It is a smorgasbord of work for this ever-energetic Aussie.
“Life is a blur with everything on my plate at the moment, but it is very exciting and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kelsie said.
The scooter accident last year on Hollywood Boulevard saw Kelsie seeing stars.
“I always wanted a star on the Walk of Fame, but that’s the closest I’ve come so far,” she quipped.
Who’s Serving Who, starring Kelsie McDonald, has it’s Off-Broadway debut on April 9th at the United Solo Theatre Festival, Theatre Row.
For further information or interview requests, please contact Kelsie at info.kelsiemcdonald@gmail.com