Kim Tassinari spent most of the last fifteen years practicing medicine at her private practice in North Hollywood. When she retired, six months ago, she decided to pursue a dream she had had since she was a little girl—acting. Tassinari has since worked to find acting work anywhere she could. She has appeared in several television advertisements for local companies and appeared in minor roles in small theaters throughout the city. She will appear at the North Hollywood Repertory Theater as Lady Macbeth next month.

Kim Tassinari started acting in high school. She joined the drama club and performed in many plays and musicals for her school. When she entered college, she didn’t study Theater Arts, but she acted in many of her friends’ film projects over her four years. Tassinari eschewed acting for premed, but she never forgot her childhood dream of being a working actor in Hollywood.

Kim Tassinari completed medical school, spent some time in the Congo treating victims of violence in the country where she met her husband, Chiotje Ekimbo, who was working as a doctor for the same nonprofit organization as she worked for. Tassinari and her husband established themselves in Los Angeles after Tassinari completed her residency there, and her husband was accepted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. They both enjoyed long careers as doctors.

Kim Tassinari decided to retire after fifteen years so she could be closer to her family, or so she thought. Her youngest son recently graduated from high school and now attends the University of California Los Angeles. With little to do, Tassinari decided to pursue her lifelong dream of being an actor in Los Angeles. She had some connections to the acting community through her medical practice, and she found audition opportunities quickly. She earned the role of Lady Macbeth for the North Hollywood Repertory Theater by blowing away the casting director with her poise, her preparation, and the skill she worked hard to redevelop.

Kim Tassinari has the full support of her family, and she hopes to make them proud with her performance. “My husband and family have been very supportive,” she said. “They’ve helped me immensely with my crazy dream.” Tassinari performs next month.

About: Former doctor Kim Tassinari will play Lady Macbeth at the North Hollywood Repertory Theater next month. For more information visit at: https://about.me/kimtassinari