Kayla Manuel steps into the spotlight this fall with her role as Cassie in the upcoming Western drama Wild West Chronicles. Premiering this September on INSP, the series tells the story of a woman whose life takes a tragic turn after her husband’s jealous outburst.
Kayla’s portrayal of Cassie brings depth to this pivotal character, highlighting her as one to watch in the series, which will be available on Peacock, Amazon Prime, and other streaming platforms later this year.
You star as Cassie in INSP’s highly-anticipated series Wild West Chronicles. Can you tell us more about your character and how you prepared for this role?
My character, Cassie, is a relatively young woman who gets married, and her husband’s jealous rage changes her fate. Her husband is the son of the First Black US Marshal Bass Reeves. For a long time, I’ve always wanted to be in a period piece. When this project came across my desk, I knew I had to be a part of it. Auditioning was a smooth and quick process. I received the breakdown from my manager, got a reader, and filmed it.
A day or two later, I received a callback. Less than a week passed, and I got the call saying I booked it. When I look back at my audition compared to my in-person callback, which has been rare since the start of COVID-19, to being on set, the character I created grew inside of me. She had more color and dimension. I got to bring more humanity to a young woman getting married and trying to figure things out. It was a dream role, and I can’t wait for more people to see it.
Wild West Chronicles deals with powerful themes of justice and family loyalty. How did you approach portraying a young woman like Cassie, who is central to such a tragic and impactful storyline?
It was an honor to depict another side of the story. Cassie is happy and excited to support and be with her husband. Since this is a period piece based in the Wild West 1800s, women are misunderstood at this time and even presently. As the story unfolds, it leaves room for the audience to choose what happened and drove her husband to his demise. I approached the role of Cassie from a lens of understanding and wonder. Cassie, in many ways, is layered. She is young but not naive. She’s soft but also grounded. It was a pleasure bringing her to life.
The series is set in the Western period, a genre with a rich history in television and film. What was it like stepping into this era, and how did the historical context influence your performance?
I did a lot of research. I looked up how they talked, dressed, hairstyles, and more. This period was a time that was very strict and refined. Yet, I got to explore another side, which was gritty and raw. I’ve always wanted to sink my teeth into a period piece project. I wanted a challenge because my views as a 21st-century Millennial/Gen Z black woman are relatively different. As women today, we can leave a man and start a journey of self-discovery. Back then, times were different, and women, in most cases, had to depend on their spouses to lift and hold the family up financially. However, while becoming Cassie, I was blessed with the opportunity to transform and put on new skin as an actor. I got to play and define my posture and diction and reimagine who Cassie is and how I can relate to her.
Before your TV debut, you starred in the award-winning short film The Merge, where you played two characters. How did that experience challenge and enhance your acting skills?
Yes, I got the opportunity to star in the award-winning short film The Merge, directed by the fantastic Phyllis Bandcroft. It’s a film in which I play two characters, and I am the only character in the movie. It was a dream and challenge. The film is based on a young woman who lacks motivation to move through life until she has the guidance of her higher self, Elonia, to help guide her through and help her merge into her higher frequency. This experience enhanced my ability to adapt and be specific with my acting choices. Playing with two characters, I had to remember their differences and what makes them unique. I also had to sharpen my skills with rewrites and edits to the script, which tested my memorization and intensity in delivering under any circumstance. I didn’t have anyone to lean on besides my fantastic body double (s/o to Lynn) on-screen, but I had to depend on myself to authenticate the story.
How has your theater training influenced your approach to on-screen roles?
Theatre is my first love. I am a theatre kid at heart. My theatre training at Long Beach State University grounded me in reading the room and understanding my audience. It taught me to stand in my power and know I am enough. The training was extensive, and after sacrificing and putting in 10,000+ hours of work, I earned my BA in Theatre Performing Arts. Booking the Cal Repertory productions in my theatre department and spreading my wings on stage was life-changing. On the heels of graduating and contemplating an acceptance at USC’s MFA acting program, I decided to choose myself and take the industry head-on. I met so many talented individuals who put their passions first. To this day, I’m reminded of my gifts and power, and without the training, I wouldn’t have had an unapologetic approach to this work.
You’ve worked under the tutelage of legends like Debbie Allen and Alvin Ailey. How have these experiences shaped your career, and what lessons have you carried into your professional work?
Yes, I learned to be a disciplined dancer and artist. The expectations from studying with both legends were life-altering. I was very young when I was studying with Debbie Allen. I did her Hot Chocolate Nutcracker for two years, which later premiered on BET. Being a young student, I took my craft very seriously. I wanted to be the best, and having parents who helped push me to the next level was always worth it.
In addition to acting, you’re involved in creative directing music videos and building your wellness brand, Grounded Closet. How do these creative outlets complement your work as an actress?
Wearing these different hats fuels my creativity. As actors and artists, we generally wait for the next audition or opportunity. However, I like to take my career and creativity into my own hands. Whether it’s growing my wellness brand, Grounded Closet, at www.groundedcloset.com, where I promote wellness and yoga products that keep you grounded, I enjoy being pulled in directions to serve and express myself.
You have led advocacy for change in your community, which led you to earn a master’s degree in education. How do you balance your passion for acting with your commitment to education and community work?
It honestly comes easy when you have a passion for it. I am one of the blessed individuals exposed to higher education and was given the freedom to be a voice for the voiceless. I pride myself in representing young black girls like myself, aiming for higher education and being exposed to something bigger than what’s in their bubble. I come from a family of educators, and education always came first in my household. Early on, I had examples and rigorous parents who only expected the best from me. Balancing a passion for acting and commitment to education is a lifelong commitment because I’m a lifelong learner. Both passions pour into each other, and every day, I’m reminded how much I need both to sustain.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for your acting career, and are there any particular roles or projects you’re eager to pursue in the future?
My career goal is to grow my network and tap into more genres. I aim to act in an action film similar to Kill Bill or a Sci-fi project like the Star Trek Disney series. I would love to work with writers and directors like Jordan Peele and Barry Jenkins, just to name a few. I want to be remembered as a powerhouse legend who was passionate about her gifts and always made a way to never give up on her successes. Finally, I want to be a legend who allows more successful artists to shine and thrive inside and outside of the industry.
Photography: Andrea David
