Perhaps this apparent wisdom is linked to Curran’s multi-city upbringing. Born in Miami, Curran practiced theater in a conservatory at Actors Playhouse in first and second grade. “[The conservatory] taught me the basics of music and acting,” said Curran. She took her first bow at that very theater in Coral Gables, a flourishing Spanish-style area located southwest of Downtown Miami. This was the location that facilitated Curran’s appreciation for the arts, a place where she was first given the opportunity to be in the spotlight. By the end of Curran’s first show, Madeline’s Christmas, she had a realization: “This is my life now!” Coral Gables was ultimately a launching point to even greater achievements. “I think [Actors Playhouse] is very close to Broadway, so that was a very good base for when I moved up to New York,” said Curran. For eight months, Curran and her mom would wake up in Manhattan. Curran, who landed the role of young Nala in Broadway’s production of Julie Taymor’s The Lion King, looks back at her time in New York with a tinge of nostalgia. Taymor’s production concept of presenting actors as animals simultaneously with puppetry won Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Musical and for Best Costumes in 1998. It was Curran’s first major theatrical role yet. Every day in the city was an opportunity for Curran to explore with her mother. They’d go to the market and spend time in the park before Curran’s performances. Oftentimes, they would meet up with Mehret Marsh, the other young actor performing the role of young Nala, cultivating a friendship Curran still cherishes today. Curran fondly recalls the cast of The Lion King when considering who has supported and informed her career as an actor. “We’re all very supportive of each other,” said Curran. “We help each other practice. We make up dance routines. It’s a very inclusive community.” However, New York and Miami had their setbacks. While Curran praises both cities for being musically oriented, she recognizes that her current success is directly linked to Atlanta’s booming film industry. “Atlanta is very film based,” Curran said in an appreciative tone. “More studios and more opportunity for film.” 30
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We looked at north of 900 actors trying to find our Abra, of varying degrees of experience,” said director Mike Flanagan. “This is the character to whom King is passing the mantle of The
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Shining to. This is the new generation of The Shining and Abra is a force to be reckoned with...she’s more powerful than Dan.
Juggling attendance at the British Academy of Performing Arts, an acting academy in Marietta, the Renaissance International School of Performing Arts in Milton, working with a voice teacher and acting coach and participating in theater, Curran also manages to complete her academic work, spend time with her siblings and friends and attend dance classes. “The dance programs are amazing here,” Curran said as she listed her dance classes off both of her hands. “Two classes of ballet, two classes of jazz, modern and tap.” Curran’s discipline and maturity level are the key components to her success. The young actor understands the level of mastery and work ethic that is required to become a star. However, her love for horror sets her apart from other child actors, many who would not dare to take on the dark material Curran developed and performed in Doctor Sleep. “I will never push for a child to audition for something the parent feels is not appropriate,” said a Georgia talent agent who prefers to remain anonymous. “It is the agent’s job to present the opportunity. It is the parent’s job to monitor the material, protect their child and decide whether their child is mature enough to handle certain material.” “They’ve always been super supportive,” Curran said in regard to what her parents think about her role in Doctor Sleep. “They were there to help me if I ever felt uncomfortable.”
Kyliegh Curran and director Mike Flanagan. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
“The smartest thing I see are parents who keep their kids grounded, respectful of others, maintain a normal life off set and allow them to be kids when they are not [at] work,” said the Georgia-based agent, who has specialized in representing young talent in both Atlanta and Los Angeles. “It was great to have my mom or my dad on set,” said Curran. “One day my mom saw me on the monitors and was like, ‘Kyliegh, you did so well!’ And we went out and got ice cream; it was amazing.” As bright and positive as Curran is, she admits to her affinity for anything horror. When she’s not being a kid, she is immersing herself in the horror genre in both film and literary mediums. Curran has watched Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan’s terrifying filmography and is currently reading Stephen King’s The Stand. “My brain just exploded; there was so much suspense,” said Curran, shifting the conversation from her own roots to her admiration of Doctor Sleep’s origins, Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining. Curran’s mother is usually her partner in exploring the genre, but Curran even had trouble convincing her to watch Kubrick’s film. The Shining is a disturbing, psychological thriller. The film starts at the Overlook Hotel, a beautiful establishment that needs a capable caretaker for the upcoming winter. Jack Torrance, played by a young