Embracing My Story
Kayla Kim Votapek 김난주 (She/Her/Hers) is a Korean American Adoptee whose upbringing exists within the in-between—navigating a multiracial experience, cultural duality, and the complexities of identity. As a multi-disciplined and multi-passionate visionary, she embraces the fluidity of existence and leads with authenticity and deep-rooted values.
Kayla is a change-maker who moves through the world with curiosity, always seeking experiences that deepen her understanding of self and others. Her in-between practice is woven into everything she does: bridging gaps, holding contradictions, and honoring the beauty of liminality. She is a divergent, lateral, and visionary thinker who uses creative problem-solving to discover possibilities for liberation and healing.
At the heart of her work is storytelling—an avenue through which she fosters human connection and truth. She believes in the power of introspection and transformation, continuously engaging in her own healing while encouraging others to step into their fullest, most authentic selves. Her work is a reflection of her own journey of coming home to herself—a practice of embracing wholeness in the spaces between belonging.
Kayla’s leadership nurtures collaborative learning, inspires action, and facilitates healing in ways that move us toward collective liberation. She works closely with individuals within the mixed-race/multicultural community, those navigating adoption, multi-generational dynamics, interracial relationships, and the nuanced intersections of identity. Through her in-between space practice, she creates room for complexity, growth, and the radical act of belonging.
Advocacy and Leadership
Kayla received her Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts, Psychology, and Education as a Social Science from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She obtained her Master’s degree in Creative Producing from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, UK.
Her time at Central included a Call to Action to the President of the School, Gavin Henderson. She produced, co-created, and led the Central for Change Walk Out in response to racist remarks and the lack of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. She researched, examined, and identified equality issues within their policies and explored the Central community’s cultural environment. Kayla advocated for an intersectional change and met with various staff, students, and executive staff members about creating a new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion action plan. She also created space for the community of Central to express their views, thoughts, and feelings at the walkout.
A month later, she was invited to the Theatre Communication Group’s National Conference where she led the Mixed Race & Mixed Identity Affinity Space and was a part of the Walkout & Call to Action to stop Yellowface at The Muny with The Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artist (CAATA).
Those events motivated Kayla to become an Anti-Racist Consultant and developed her passion for advocating for an equitable theatrical environment.
This guided her to leading and supporting many trainings and workshops with artEquity, Nicole Brewer, Kim Pevia, Hannah Fenlon, Menna Malik, Equity Quotient, and others.
Racial Joy & Artistic Evolution
In 2021, Kayla moved to Seoul, South Korea, embarking on a deeply personal journey to explore and celebrate racial joy. This experience became a transformative foundation for her artistry, work, and life, allowing her to root more deeply in her identity. Her time in South Korea not only strengthened her connection to self but also opened new pathways for racial liberation and healing, shaping the way she navigates and cultivates spaces of belonging.
In 2023, Kayla celebrated a full-circle moment. She moved back to NJ/NYC and became the General Manager for The Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists (CAATA).
In addition to her role at CAATA, Kayla is currently leading multiple workshops as an Anti-Racist Consultant. Previously, she facilitated Anti-Racist workshops and Mixed Race & Mixed Identity Affinity Spaces for Conscientious Theatre Training (Nicole Brewer's Anti-Racist Theatre Trainings), Theatre Communication Group, Equity Quotient, Mason Gross School of The Arts, Marymount, Malloy College, NJ Flute Society, and The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).
As a Creative Producer, Kayla is committed to decolonizing traditional notions of art, challenging outdated standards, and breaking the stigma around artistic expression. She reimagines art as an expansive practice—one that embraces diverse mediums, conceptual ideas, technical skills, and personal narratives, all rooted in emotional power and aesthetic depth. Through her work, she cultivates storytelling as a transformative tool for empowerment, helping individuals reclaim their narratives and navigate their life journeys with agency. Kayla is currently developing multiple projects that will be announced soon.
Narratives of Experiences
In addition, Kayla is currently serving on both the ArtPride New Jersey and New Jersey Theatre Alliance Board of Directors. She is a part of multiple committees including ArtPride New Jersey's Strategic Planning Committee, ArtPride New Jersey's Thrive Committee, New Jersey Theatre Alliance's Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee, New Jersey Theatre Alliance Stage Festival's Committee, and New Jersey Theatre Alliance's New Jersey's Arts and Culture Administrators of Color.
Previously, Kayla was the Associate Producer at The Tony Award winning® Crossroads Theatre Company, where she honed her production skills to bring a diverse range of high-quality productions to life. She also served as the Associate Director of Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory and Young Actors Workshop at Rutgers University, where she designed a course that encourages high school actors to explore their identities through their craft, using theater as a medium for self-discovery and artistic expression.
As a Producer, Anti-Racist Consultant, and Arts Administrator, she has had the pleasure of working with numerous award-winning organizations and companies, such as The Broadway League, The American Theatre Wing, Theatre Communication Group, Paper Mill Playhouse, Two River Theater, Portland Opera, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Gibney Dance, The Wilbury Theatre Group, The League of Historic American Theatres, Cleveland Public Theatre, Center Theatre Group, Local USA 829, TADA! Youth Theatre, THE RIDE, and Improbable.
Embracing the In-Between: A Path to Growth, Healing & Liberation
Kayla is dedicated to honoring the in-between—the spaces of transition, ambiguity, and self-discovery where true transformation takes place. She believes that flourishing isn’t about reaching a fixed destination but about embracing the fluidity of identity, creativity, and healing. Through her work, she guides individuals in navigating these in-between spaces with intention, curiosity, and self-compassion, helping them step into their highest selves and find peace within their journey.
She achieves this through:
Collaborative Learning in the In-Between – Creating spaces where diverse perspectives meet, allowing for deep connection and shared knowledge.
Exploring Stories & Identities Through Self-Reflection – Encouraging individuals to engage with their narratives, embrace contradictions, and find power in their evolving identities.
Advocating & Cultivating Attainable Action Steps – Translating reflection into meaningful, sustainable change that honors each person’s unique path.
Encouraging Healing & Liberation in Liminal Spaces – Recognizing that true freedom comes from embracing complexity and existing fully in the spaces between belonging.
With authenticity and boldness, Kayla empowers individuals to trust the unknown, cultivate resilience, and move through life with openness and determination. She nurtures creative and personal growth, guiding others toward healing and liberation—one step, one story, and one moment of in-between at a time.