Kaili Y. Turner*
Kaili Y. Turner* (Mae Jemison, Jane Hart) she/her, is a Black, Indigenous (enrolled member of Nipmuc Nation) multi-hyphenate. A comedian, actress, writer, director, producer, puppeteer and single mother to two boys, she was raised between Boston and Mashpee, MA (Indian Country) where she apprenticed at OverSoul Theatre Collective. Turner went to UMass Boston, earning her BA in theater Arts. Afterwards she continued her studies with New African Company, and did her first professional play with Company One, as part of Kristen Greenidges’ award winning play, 103 Within the Veil.
In 2015, Turner graduated from the Actors Studio Drama School (ASDS) in New York City, with her MFA. Some of her favorite acting credits include: “Fires in the Mirror”, ASDS thesis. The Obie award winning play, The Nosebleed, Lincoln Center, Best Ensemble nominee Lucille Lortel awards (2022), “ADY”, HERE Arts. Broken, United Solo, Signature Theatre. “Grown Ass Women”, Upright Citizens Brigade, Maude Team. Regional: “SNL/Second City Scholar Showcase”, Chicago, IL. “My Story is Gluskabe”, Penobscot theatre, Maine. “HOOPS”, The Strand, Boston, MA. “Janie’s Song”, NorthEastern University Boston, MA. “Working Things Out”, National Black Theater Festival, Winston-Salem, NC. “The Nosebleed” Tour, The Walker, RedCat, LA. TV/Film/New Media: “The Cycle film” (HBO Short FIlm Winner, Best film, MVAAFF), “Sexy Time”, Dir. Gaurav Gawankar, “Best Friend Parody”, Best Music(al) Parody winner, All the Laughs Fest. “Maybe It’s Melanin”, ABFF, Best Comedy Nominee.
Kaili is excited to be back in her hometown making her Central Square Theatre debut in this amazing new play that showcases some very important iconic women in history. To learn more about Kaili, you can follow her journey at www.KailiYTurner.com and @Madamnstarlight on IG.