A Handsome Woman Retreats

Having suffered from panic attacks for most of her life, and struggling to find her own voice and identity in the shadow of her siblings the Wayans brothers, Wayans attended a 10-day silent meditation retreat. What began as a miserable experience (that she was talked into by her yoga instructor) eventually uncovered both the source and the cure for her anxiety, and has now resulted in her first one-woman stage show.
"This is my first attempt at live theatre," she says, "and I'm totally green, but it's been wonderful so far and I'm really excited. I've always had a dream of doing a one-woman show. I just didn't have the courage that goes along with it!"

Born and raised in New York City, Kim Wayans moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college. She knocked around doing stand-up comedy and small parts on television before getting her big break on FOX’s “In Living Color," the groundbreaking sketch comedy show created by her brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans, and featuring brothers Damon, Shawn, and Marlon. On the show, Kim was known for her music video parodies and for the many original characters she created such as the popular Benita ("I ain't one to gossip, but ...") Butrell. Kim next co-starred on the NBC series "In the House," opposite LL Cool J. She followed that with guest stints on various TV sitcoms and parts in feature films including "Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood," "A Low Down Dirty Shame," and "Juwanna Man" co-starring Vivica A. Fox.

Looking to expand creatively, Kim moved behind the camera and added producing, writing, and directing to her resume working on the ABC sitcom, "My Wife and Kids." In late 2007 and early 2008, Kim took to the stage where she wowed Los Angeles audiences with her dynamic one-woman show, “A Handsome Woman Retreats.” Having a difficult time finding worthwhile roles, Kim took a cue from her brothers; she put pen to paper and wrote herself a show. Based on her experiences growing up in the projects and surviving in the jungles of Hollywood, "A Handsome Woman Retreats" had its world première in October 2007. Favorable word of mouth about the show continues to spread. Since the premiere, Kim has performed the show as part of the 2008 Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival and as a headlining feature at The Cleveland Playhouse’s FusionFest 2008. In June, Kim was thrilled to bring her show to her hometown of New York City as part of the SoloNOVA Arts Festival at PS 122.

Kim is also the author (along with her husband, Kevin Knotts) of the new children's book series, “Amy Hodgepodge.” The series follows the daily challenges and triumphs of Amy, a young girl of mixed-race. Amy presents a relatable face and gives a much needed voice to the growing population of mixed-race children worldwide. The first two books in the series, All Mixed Up! and Happy Birthday to Me hit bookshelves in June, 2008. Two additional Amy Hodgepodge books are being released in 2008 with more to follow in 2009.