Episode 32. Kelli O'Hara: Broadway Star to TV's Gilded Age—Career, Family, & Creative Risk-Taking

🎭 How does a Tony-winning Broadway actress transition to television, balance family, and keep reinventing herself?

In this episode of Inside the Design Studio, I sit down with the legendary Kelli O'Hara to talk about her journey from small-town Oklahoma to Broadway's biggest stages and HBO's The Gilded Age. Kelli shares how she:

✅ Moved to NYC with few connections and built her career from scratch ✅ Balances Broadway, TV, and opera while raising a family ✅ Tackles the pressure of celebrity vs. craft in today's entertainment world ✅ Keeps her creative fire alive—and why taking risks keeps her growing

PLUS: Behind-the-scenes stories from The Gilded Age, her upcoming concert with Sutton Foster, and her thoughts on navigating an unpredictable industry.

🔹 Follow Kelli: Instagram: @kelliohara

🔹 Follow me for exclusive content! Instagram: @itsdavidpeck & @shopdavidpeck

Chapters

00:00 The Early Beginnings of a Dream 05:40 Finding a Mentor and Pursuing Education 08:20 The Move to New York and First Auditions 10:50 Transitioning from Stage to Screen 13:37 The Reality of Broadway Life 16:01 Navigating Fame and Craft 18:38 Balancing Family and Career 29:26 Reflections on Life Choices and Regrets 32:38 Trusting the Process in Creative Careers 37:49 Diversifying Artistic Expression 43:26 Navigating Public Persona and Authenticity 48:25 Finding Connection in a Chaotic World 54:17 Staying Humble and Open in Life's Journey 56:17 Exciting Upcoming Show in Dallas 57:13 Anticipation for Gilded Age Season 3 57:43 IDS Podcast outro.mp4