Karen (EmbracetheKayoss)

A recent graduate from Regis University with a B.F.A. in Screenwriting, K. Ross has extensive experience as a film Producer and Casting Director. Born into a family of actors, historical recreationists, and educators, K. showed an early interest in storytelling and theater. Her involvement in theater, learning all aspects, started at 12 years old. It wasn't until she began community and local professional theater in the D.C. area that she showed promise in Stage Management. But she never stopped collecting quotes, anecdotes, and stories. Eventually, she pursued her degree in film to find her own creative voice and medium.

Her love of casting directing was discovered while at Colorado Film School. Helping directors find their perfect actors is fantastically rewarding, while the importance of casting is sorely overlooked. She's also been known to do production management and assistant directing, as her organizational skills are a great asset to any production. This also lends her talents to event organizing and coordination. She's overseen live events such as local concerts, silent auctions, and charity fundraisers. The fan-organized Can't Stop the Serenity charity screenings to help raise funds for Equality Now, in honor of Joss Whedon's birthday, were particularly meaningful for her.

A life-long student of psychology, philosophy, and interpersonal communication, she most enjoys character study. Her natural talent for listening and communicating, often giving sage advice, has been the cornerstone in developing her stories. While providing answers to difficult questions has often been her strength, she strives beyond that - to simply ask better questions.

Her interests are equally wide and varied. She spent eleven years working at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and a few years involved with the Society for Creative Anachronism. She's been reading tarot for seventeen years, but prefers it as a source for reflection and character-building. Her free time is spent cooking and traveling with her husband (who is also a film Producer/Editor), watching a good film, reading a good book, cuddling with her kitties, or, currently, writing her first novel (which she intends to turn into a feature-length screenplay).

Fun Fact: "Kayoss" was a nickname given to her during her time in film school, partly because it used the elements of her name, but partly for her knack for taking over leadership on a project that is falling apart. "Embrace the Kayoss" became her theme after recognizing the illusion of control on set and in life.