July 18, 2024
By Chloe Arrington

Eden Kahssai, associate director of development at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, found more than just a hobby when she took an improv class in November 2020.

Kahssai decided to explore acting, specifically for film and television, during the 2020 pandemic closures. Atlanta is arguably the second biggest city for filming after Los Angeles, so there are plenty of film-centric networks to explore.

Though most filming and productions were still paused, Kahssai was inspired to find a class to explore the art of acting and learn more about the inner workings of such a complex and competitive industry.

A self-professed overthinker, Kahssai was encouraged to sign up for improv classes by her acting coach to work on being in the moment, common feedback she received from her coach. "I had trouble doing that, being in the moment, because I always overthink things. The thought of improv was terrifying, but I realized if it scared me so much to do it, I should probably jump right into it," she said.

It didn't take long for Kahssai to fully invest in the improv world. She started taking classes at Whole World Improv Theatre in Midtown and took all four levels over ten months. She loved the community so much that she couldn't say no when the theatre asked her to stay on as an apprentice cast member.

Since graduating from the class program in 2021, Kahssai has attended weekly rehearsals and performed in shows every weekend. "It's so much fun, and every show is completely different. I have no idea what will happen on that stage until it's happening, and I think that's what makes it so fun and fresh. It never gets old," she said.

Aside from the enjoyment of acting and improv, Kahssai has seen other benefits from the hobby. "I've always dealt with anxiety, and I feared public speaking, but improv has helped me tremendously. I leave room for uncertainty and the unexpected, whereas before, I would overthink things before anything went wrong, or I'd want to control the outcome of everything," she explained.

Kahssai says improv has allowed her to let go and relax in challenging situations. "I recommend everyone do improv at least once. It truly changed my life!"

She also sees the skills she has learned through improv translating to her work in the Woodruff School. "It helps me to think outside the box. One of the rules to improv is to make sure the person in your scene is the most important and to listen to what they are saying. Bringing all your attention to them and just focusing on the relationship. That is important in our work and building relationships with alumni and friends," said Kahssai.

Along with improv, she has also acted in one feature-length and five short films. She won Best Actress at the French Indo International Film Festival and was a semi-finalist at the London Gold Movie Awards for Best Actress. But acting is not her only hidden talent. Kahssai also tap dances, taking classes regularly as a child and taking occasional refresher classes today. She loves to incorporate tap dancing in an improv show whenever she gets the chance.

Kahssai also has several creative goals for the future. She is learning what goes into curating an improv show and hopes to one day MC a show in her group, Black Voices Unscripted, which premiered in February. "My goal is to stretch myself to see how far I can go creatively,” she said.

She is also working on a pilot script with her sister inspired by actual events that explores the Eritrean culture. "There aren't any films or shows out there that represent my world as a first-generation Eritrean American, but I'm hoping to change that or just have fun trying. Maybe one day, you will see me on a major network show. Who knows!"