KAY KOPIT; ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST, ACTOR, WRITER, AND INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER

Kay Kopit grew up in the Midwest town of Clayton, Missouri. At the age of sixteen, she choreographed, as well as designed and made costumes, for several high school productions. Here she found her passion for art and theatre.

Kay attended the University of Missouri where she received a B.S. in Art Education and an M.A. in Painting and Ceramics. While in college she continued her interest in theater production succeeding in choreography and costume design for several major productions including "Carnival" and "Once Upon A Mattress.” After graduate school she taught Life Drawing, Design, and Ceramics at the very prestigious Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.

In 1969 Kay was inspired to move to the East or West Coast. By the flip of a coin (literally) she decided to move to the East Coast where she made Boston, Massachusetts her home. She was immediately offered a position teaching art at Lexington High School. After several successful years teaching Kay was determined to pursue a career in arts and theatre and moved to California.

Kay relocated to San Francisco where she trained with Wendell Phillips of the well-known Stagegroup Theatre. For several years she studied acting, dance, public speaking, and playwriting with reputable names such as Elizabeth Huddle of A.C.T., Peter Layton of The Drama Studio of London at Berkeley, and Sue Walden of the Improvisational Workshop.

Kay had continued success in her acting and modeling career. She appeared in many national commercials including: Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Hunt Wesson Foods, Totino's Pizza, Shaklee, and many more. She acted as the principal spokesperson for several Industrial Films including: Chevron, Fireman's Fund, Zenger Miller Productions and American Protective Services. Her print work was extensive including: Ketchum Advertising, Safeway, and Emporium-Capwell.

Kay's good business sense and devotion to teaching inspired her to open her own pottery in Marin County, California. She founded and operated "Clay In Mind”, a ceramic school and gallery in San Rafael. This venture led to "Clay In Mind II", a manufacturing plant in San Diego, California. After many productive years the opportunity to sell came and Kay felt it was a good time to do so.

Most recently, Kay is the writer and producer of a documentary of her life story, "I Survived: One Woman's Journey of Self-Healing and Transformation", which covers 15 years of living with an alcoholic. Although Kay was successful in her life behind closed doors she endured pain, shame and emotional maiming. Her story is being told to help others overcome the debilitating disease of codependency.

Kay is now living an amazing life with her husband Bryan of 26 years (who just happens to be 19 years her junior). To complete their family they adopted a daughter at birth when Kay was 54 years of age. Besides being a mother and wife she continues with her love of painting, writing, teaching and speaking on the subject of codependency. Her passion is not only the arts but to help people through her inspirational story. Her courage, stamina and faith have given her direction and the gift of helping give others hope.