Jessica Payne is a performer, creator, and coach.
(And the CEO of Kika Labs!)
The Performer
Jessica is a SAG-AFTRA actress and singer. She loves working across countries and format: film, television, music, audio, and live performance.
Jessica originated the role of Ms. Frizzle on the national tour of the musical The Magic School Bus: Climate Challenge, working with Tony-award winning producers. She starred as reporter Jessie Sinclair in the film Hip Hop City. She created the role of Katie, a beloved and neurotic doctor, in the multi-season audio series Deck the Halls with Matrimony, which was featured on the New York Times, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts .
Along with acting, Jessica is an accomplished singer. She recently sang three rock performances in Las Vegas. Jessica is featured as a singer on the musical theatre cast albums Oh My Godmother! and Forever Broadway, and the R&B and rap soundtrack for the film Hip Hop City.
Jessica is currently developing a full Vegas Rock show for this Christmas!
DEGREES
M.F.A., Acting, Western Illinois University
B.A., Theatre, Robert E. Cook Honors College - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
The Creator
Jessica writes, directs, and creates original narrative pieces.
Jessica is an award-winning filmmaker. She wrote and directed her own short films Rogue Tiger, Across LA in 80 Minutes, and Flip. She directed 15 live performance shows and 5 Digital films in Hollywood at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, including Three Sisters, The Wolves, and Trailblazing Women.
She created the charity fundraiser cabaret “Delight at the End of the Tunnel.” She collaborated with actors to develop and rehearse their own original narrative pieces as the Director of the New Works Conservatory at the (Tony Award Winning) TheatreWorks of Silicon Valley.
Jessica is currently in the process of developing a television pilot and the recent first reading with actors went fabulously!
ADDITIONAL TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
On-Camera (Filmmaking, Commercials, Narrative, YouTube, Self-Taping)
Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, LGBTQIA+, Intimacy Training
Accessibility including Disabilities and Neurodiverse (ADHD and Autism Spectrum) Training
The Coach
Jessica coaches executives, entrepreneurs, creators, and performers (actors and singers).
Jessica has been an independent performance coach since 2006. She was full time Acting and Directing Faculty at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, where she taught students earning their BFAs for 8 years. She has also taught acting and vocal work at The Young Actor’s Studio, Degas Dance Studio, the California Theatre Center and TheatreWorks of Silicon Valley. Her students are now performing on TV, in films, in voiceover work, and on national tours.
Jessica specializes in executive coaching on camera confidence creatives and entrepreneurs to use the skills of the acting and directing worlds to help them build skills and comfort on camera. She has created a digital course on how to Level Up Your On-Camera Interviews.
She does private audition coaching and acting skill work with beginning through advanced actors. She also has served as a script consultant for stage and film.
Jessica is actively coaching amazing creatives and business professionals to be more comfortable on camera!
SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTING
Instagram (IG) Reels and Stories, Facebook Reels and Feed, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube