Kim Mason is living proof that curiosity—and courage—don’t come with an expiration date. In this inspiring interview, the beloved actor, director, and longtime portfolio advisor opens up about feeling more confident than ever, the power of mentors who spoke life into her, and why she’s still intentionally chasing things that scare her—like learning the stand-up bass and writing original theatre. From touring nationally with ABC Television to quietly changing lives through financial advising, Kim’s story is a beautiful tapestry of creativity, grit, reinvention, and late-in-life love. If you’ve ever wondered whether your best days might still be ahead—Kim will make you believe they absolutely are.
BOOM: Kim, you recently celebrated your 61st birthday in October—Happy Birthday! What’s this season of life teaching you about who you are and who you’re still becoming?
Kim: I was just thinking to myself the other day that it feels good to know things. To feel comfortable in my own skin. To know how to hold a conversation or manage a situation that would have been difficult or even impossible for my younger self to do. There’s a comfort in knowing that you’ll be able to handle most things that are thrown at you. For me, that has come with age and experience.
As for who I’m becoming, each of us has a limited number of days on this planet. I’m becoming more and more aware that those days are waning. That gives me a sense of urgency, in a way. I still have so many things I want to try for the first time, and to get better at, and to accomplish and refine. In the buffet of life, I feel like I’ve only made it to the salad bar.
BOOM: You’ve been acting for more than 40 years. Take us back—what first sparked your love for the stage?
Kim: When I was a teenager, my high school choral teacher convinced me to be in my first musical. It was an old, rarely-performed show that the high school was doing called Irene. I was cast as one of Irene’s crazy sidekicks, and I had never had such fun in my life. Performing, singing, and dancing came easily to me, and I’d never had much instruction in any of it. That same teacher looked me square in the face, and with such seriousness, she said, “You’ve got it. You’ve got something special. You’ve got IT.” I wasn’t sure what “it” was, but for some unknown reason, I was glad to have it. After that, I began taking voice lessons, acting classes, and dancing lessons to see if I could cultivate “it”. And, I’ve been hooked ever since.
BOOM: Touring nationally with ABC Television and performing professionally for a decade must have been quite an adventure. What moments from that time still stay with you?
Kim: The camaraderie that’s forged from spending day in and day out with the same people for months at a time stays with me. I’m still friends with many of the people I performed with, even though we are scattered all over the globe and most of us have gone on to do professions other than in the arts.
BOOM: Today, you balance acting with directing at The Wetumpka Depot and The Red Door Theater. What do you enjoy most about being on the other side of the stage as the Director?
Kim: Directing is completely different than acting. When you’re doing a role in a show, you’re only responsible for yourself and the part you’re playing. When you direct, especially in community theatre, you are responsible for just about everything – costumes, sets, props, casting, scheduling, managing personalities.
I actually enjoy directing more than acting these days. I love seeing the big picture and getting to shape how the story is told. And if I’m lucky enough to have others to collaborate to with, like a choreographer or lighting designer, then it’s really fun. But if I’m honest, the absolute best thing about directing is helping someone shine in a role they’re playing. At first, they may be timid or unsure, but through encouragement and exploration, they start to gain confidence. Seeing them grow and learn is a thrill to me. By the time opening night rolls around, my hope is that they are extremely proud of themselves and the show we’ve all created.
BOOM: Your “day job” is quite a contrast—you’ve spent 23 years with Jackson Thornton Wealth Management, now as a Portfolio Advisor. What drew you to that career?
Kim: It’s been said that “necessity is the mother of invention”, and in this case, necessity was the mother of my career. I had to get a job. I had a baby and was newly on my own in a new town. I came to Jackson Thornton by way of a career placement agency. I started out as the receptionist. I was later asked if I would be willing to move to internal accounting. Once there, I was able to work more closely with the principals of the Firm. It was after about a year in that position that I was invited to join the Asset Management group by its founding member, Lanny Crane.
Even though I didn’t come from an accounting or financial background, I caught on quickly and soon took it upon myself to study for the Series 65 Advisor Exam. I took the exam without telling anyone for fear of failing. I was thrilled to come into work and be able to tell them I had passed. It all just grew from there. Twenty years later, I have learned so much from my associates and supervisors. And I now have many of my own clients that I enjoy advising and taking care of.
BOOM: I know you’ve heard clients say, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” How do compassion and communication play a role in helping people through life’s transitions?
Kim: It may sound crazy, but I think theatre has influenced what I do as a financial advisor. It taught me to listen…to really listen. Many times, what people really need is to be heard. I truly care for them. Jackson Thornton has a culture of going the extra mile for our clients. I am happily a part of that culture. If there’s something I can do as an advisor to make our clients worry less, accomplish more, have a life better life, that’s what I want to do.
BOOM: You’ve mentioned two mentors who deeply shaped you—your high-school choral teacher and Lanny Crane at Jackson Thornton. What lessons from them still guide you today?
Kim: I have never forgotten what it felt like for my high-school choral director, Donna Norton, to believe in me. She pushed me, she encouraged me, and she never let me take the easy way out. When I thanked her later in life for helping me succeed in theatre, she said, “It wasn’t me, cream always rises to the top.” I’ll always remember her dedication to her students and her humility.
As for Lanny Crane, he taught me not to be afraid of a challenge. He was tough on everyone, including me, and had extremely high standards that he expected everyone to live up to. He also held himself to these standards. But he was always fair, always listened, and was generous with his praise and encouragement. He often told me I was smart. If Lanny Crane told you you were smart, you believed him, and you felt fortunate.
BOOM: You’ve said your approach to aging well is to “keep learning and doing things that scare you.” What are some of the new things you’re exploring right now?
Kim: I’m learning to play the stand-up bass. It’s taller than I am and hard to handle sometimes, but it’s so much fun. My fiancé Matt is teaching me. I played violin for years, but this is a bit different. Matt is a wonderful musician, and we play together. I remember the first time I played in public – it was terrifying.
I’ve also started writing. I’ve written two plays and a jukebox musical. I was lucky enough to have a staged reading of my musical Dime Store Cowgirl at the Wetumpka Depot recently. It’s a little scary having your words said out loud to an audience. You’re always wondering how it will be received. I’m hoping my play “Call Girl” will have a reading soon. Who knows, maybe one day I may have one published.
BOOM: You’ve visited all 50 states! How has that shaped your view of America and of people in general?
Kim: Travel is so important to our worldview. If we never see anything beyond a 100-mile radius, we have limited ourselves to things and people and situations that are just about always going to be the same, day in and day out. People from other areas of the country who have different cultures, and beliefs, and ways of doing things have enriched my life. I have more compassion, more patience, more love for my fellow humans because of it.
BOOM: You’ve recently become engaged—congratulations! What has it been like to find love again in this stage of life?
Kim: I wasn’t looking for love, certainly not a husband. My life was full …of work, friends, laughter, music. I was happy. Matt and I worked together at Jackson Thornton for years before being anything other than co-workers. A chance meeting in the lunchroom began a conversation that led to my inviting him to see a show that I was in. He came to the show, a musical, and afterwards told me that he played “a little guitar” and if I ever needed a musician, he would be interested. It turned out that I did need a musician for the next show I was directing at the Red Door Theatre in Union Springs.
And, he played more than a little guitar. I think, in that show alone, he played guitar, mandolin, banjo, and dobro. We rode to rehearsals together from Montgomery to Union Springs for several weeks. During this time, we also went to local events together as friends. After the show was over, we realized we’d been dating for a while without knowing it. So we just kept on dating for over six years.
You could have knocked me over with a feather when he proposed. He’s the best person I’ve ever known, and I feel so lucky to have finally found someone like him to share my life with. I’m over the moon about him.
BOOM: When you think about balance—between creative work, your career, relationships, and self-care—what helps you keep perspective?
Kim: Not gonna lie…sometimes I don’t do a very good job of balancing things. The first thing to go is self-care. I have to work. I have to take care of our clients. I have a deep desire to create art and be creative. Sometimes those things take up all my time.
I was raised by people who saw harder times than we have seen. My grandparents lived through the Depression and helped raise me. They never thought about self-care. They came from farmers, where life was hard and you didn’t complain. So the idea of taking a self-care day is a fairly new concept to me. In the past couple of years, I have gotten to where I purposely schedule time when I cannot be involved in a show. I have also started trying to meditate, to center myself, and to slow down. But I have always had the philosophy that I’ll sleep when I die.
BOOM: For those who feel stuck or hesitant to chase new dreams after 50, what would you say to encourage them?
Kim: Don’t be afraid! Do something you’ve always wanted to do. Or find something brand new that interests you. It’s truly never too late to find new dreams. I think, for years, society has told us (women, the aging, anyone really) what we can and cannot do. They have neatly compartmentalized what aging looks like. You can do this, you shouldn’t do that.
With people living longer these days – life expectancy for women is 80.2 these days – we still have a third of our lives to go. Spend that time doing what thrills you, what scares you, what fulfills you. One of my favorite quotes is from Walt Disney: “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
BOOM: You’ve said, “The best me is yet to come.” What does that mean to you, and what are you most excited about in the years ahead?
Kim: Maybe that’s just wishful thinking – haha. I’m not going to stop learning and trying new things. Life is an adventure. I’m going to say yes to the adventure as many times as I can until I just can’t anymore. Hopefully, that will yield the best me.
Quick Take with Kim
- Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee please, with Splenda and cream.
- Favorite stage role you’ve ever played? Elizabeth Benning inYoung Frankenstein, The Musical.
- Most memorable place you’ve visited among those 50 states? I have two – Franklin Cider Mill in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and the city streets of New York, NY!
- Go-to local restaurant or date-night spot? I love Derks Filet and Vine!
- Song that always puts you in a great mood? Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
- One thing you never travel without? A little cash for emergencies.
- Hidden talent or guilty pleasure? I re-watch the movies Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice a lot!
- Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? To thine own self be true.
- Favorite way to unwind after a show or workday? Popcorn and a movie.
- Three words friends would use to describe you? I hope they would say kind, generous, and fun.