bonnie lenore kyburz

Actor, Background Artist, Filmmaker, Writer, Writing Professor, Stand-In, ...

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Since you're all film people, you may be interested to know that I get told on the daily that I look like Meryl Streep. I do. This gets complicated whenever I audition, especially when we begin with a casting director calling it out (no presh!). I enjoy acting, filmmaking, and being on a film set. I'm also crazy grateful to be able to support creative friends and colleagues; it keeps me close to the work I love, feeling purposeful. I've been a Theater Manager at the Sundance Film Festival for 20 years. Hearing filmmakers' stories gave me courage to try making little films, myself. As an academic, I began publishing contemplative shorts in online journals. My little films are about identity, meaning, and textuality, especially in and through the post-digital turn. Eventually, I wrote a book about this activity (I'm not the only one making films instead of "simply" writing papers and books). My book, Cruel Auteurism is open access (if you're interested (see link, below). I'm still hoping to parlay my acting, interpersonal, performance-based, writing, and other skills so that I find a professional home beyond academia, in film. I have 2 languishing screenplay ideas, and a few documentary projects I'd love to launch. However, since I left my tenured job to move to IL to be with family, my professional and financial security situation has been a bit more "complicated" so I'm hoping to connect with opportunities. And, if I can help you in some way, please reach out!!