Payton
Kohl
ABOUT PAYTON
Payton Kohl (she/her) is an actress based in a small suburb of Chicago,IL and is currently finishing her Acting Degree as a Senior at Illinois State University. Her love for acting and storytelling is rooted in a passion for giving voice to different lives and experiences, using each story she tells to inspire others and spark meaningful change.
Payton's love for the arts began as a two-year-old ballerina, barely potty trained, yet already captivated by the magic of performing. A few years later, she showed up to her Willy Wonka Jr. audition in an "I Love Candy" T-shirt (courtesy of her mom), landed the role of an Oompa Loompa, and the rest is history.
Outside of theatre, Payton played college volleyball and is a self-proclaimed lover of all things sports. She also has a lifelong passion for dance, especially tap and hip hop. In addition to her athletic and dancing pursuits, she has a natural flair for all things beauty and cosmetics. That love led her to earn her cosmetology license while still in high school, a skill she continues to sharpen alongside her performing pursuits.
Losing her grandfather to suicide gave Payton a powerful sense of purpose, motivating her to educate others about mental health and advocate for the importance of mental wellness within the the performing arts community.
After graduation, Payton is headed to New York City to pursue work in Film and Television, using her creativity to inspire change and tell impactful stories.
