Home | Bethany Paulsen

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Bethany
Paulsen

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ABOUT

Hello There,

I'm a multi-passionate individual with a knack for storytelling based in Chicago, Illinois!

I work as an actress, director, producer

and playwright.

I have my M.F.A in Directing and Playwriting.

I love telling good stories with good people, so let's collaborate!

Cheers!

-B

Film Reel

LATEST FILM

Tapping Out | Full Short Film

Awards

Best Actress

Swing of Things | Washington DC Cinema Fest

Best Actress

Embryo | Smoky Mountain Film Festival

Best Actress

Espionage by Candlelight | Regent University Fall Showcase 2021

Follow Me

you feel like home

@kaliewoodphotography

you feel like home

@kaliewoodphotography

• 1.5.25 • I’m so glad it’s you.

pc: @kaliewoodphotography

• 1.5.25 • I’m so glad it’s you.

pc: @kaliewoodphotography

🪷 wholeness 🪷

my word for 2025. no longer allowing a fragmenting mind, body, and soul to be pulled between obligation, passion, and rest.

I’m choosing what is expansive, enriching, and steady.

🪷 wholeness 🪷

my word for 2025. no longer allowing a fragmenting mind, body, and soul to be pulled between obligation, passion, and rest.

I’m choosing what is expansive, enriching, and steady.

that one time I wrote a love letter to my younger self and flew to Moscow Idaho to perform it 🧡

Just Bea • April 2022 • behind the scenes 🍳

#actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #bts #behindthescenes #theater #theatre #dayinthelife #playwright #justbea #twowomanshow #innerchild

that one time I wrote a love letter to my younger self and flew to Moscow Idaho to perform it 🧡

Just Bea • April 2022 • behind the scenes 🍳

#actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #bts #behindthescenes #theater #theatre #dayinthelife #playwright #justbea #twowomanshow #innerchild

throwback to my Buffalo gals 💄

The Full Monty • May 2022 • behind the scenes

throwback to my Buffalo gals 💄

The Full Monty • May 2022 • behind the scenes

Watch me add foley artist to my resume. It’s a Wonderful Life: behind the scenes 🎙️

#actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #bts #behindthescenes #theater #theatre #dayinthelife #greenroom #itsawonderfullife #radioplay #foley #marybailey

Watch me add foley artist to my resume. It’s a Wonderful Life: behind the scenes 🎙️

#actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #bts #behindthescenes #theater #theatre #dayinthelife #greenroom #itsawonderfullife #radioplay #foley #marybailey

Sometimes it takes auditioning three times over the course of five years for the same role to finally book the part.

Mary Bailey, I had a feeling you and I were meant for each other🎙️ It’s a Wonderful Life • Provision Theater • December 2024

#itsawonderfullife #radioplay #provisiontheater

Sometimes it takes auditioning three times over the course of five years for the same role to finally book the part.

Mary Bailey, I had a feeling you and I were meant for each other🎙️ It’s a Wonderful Life • Provision Theater • December 2024

#itsawonderfullife #radioplay #provisiontheater

It was a joy to exercise my playwriting muscles again to tell the story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon for Candlelight Carols. It was lovely directing this professional cast and working with my stage manager @rae_smith_94

PC @destinymariephotography

It was a joy to exercise my playwriting muscles again to tell the story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon for Candlelight Carols. It was lovely directing this professional cast and working with my stage manager @rae_smith_94

PC @destinymariephotography

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 7 • (the last)

“The skies are taller in Korea,” my friend Yongmin told me. It’s true. I see Korea in rich shades of blue, green and brown. Yellow flowers clutter the hills, rolling mountains stretch the horizon, and cities spring up unexpectedly from the trees. The biggest challenge as an American isn’t the language barrier, but rather a trash can is nearly impossible to find. From eating far too much bulgogi, dancing with a stranger, listening to tea spilling from students, to navigating busy marketplaces, and watching the people of South Korea deeply moved by the Chorale’s music, this trip was easily a major highlight of last year. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given. 🇰🇷🤍

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 7 • (the last)

“The skies are taller in Korea,” my friend Yongmin told me. It’s true. I see Korea in rich shades of blue, green and brown. Yellow flowers clutter the hills, rolling mountains stretch the horizon, and cities spring up unexpectedly from the trees. The biggest challenge as an American isn’t the language barrier, but rather a trash can is nearly impossible to find. From eating far too much bulgogi, dancing with a stranger, listening to tea spilling from students, to navigating busy marketplaces, and watching the people of South Korea deeply moved by the Chorale’s music, this trip was easily a major highlight of last year. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given. 🇰🇷🤍

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 6 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 6 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 5 •

feat. Caboose Crew, the best crew

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 5 •

feat. Caboose Crew, the best crew

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 4 •

feat. Billy Kim friend of my late grandpa

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 4 •

feat. Billy Kim friend of my late grandpa

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 3 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 3 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 2 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 2 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 1 •

• South Korea • May 2024 • Pt 1 •

despite my seemingly distressed and aged state, this gang was a breeze to work with.

I’ll be taking a break from the directors chair for a while, so glad to start a sabbatical on a good note.

#director #thehidingplace #mbi

despite my seemingly distressed and aged state, this gang was a breeze to work with.

I’ll be taking a break from the directors chair for a while, so glad to start a sabbatical on a good note.

#director #thehidingplace #mbi

• The Hiding Place • November 2024 •

“If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.” ~ Betsie Ten Boom

This was the show that sparked my interest in theater. What a sweet full circle moment to direct it and watch my students live into these characters.

PC: @xxdestinymarie

#director #thehidingplace #theater #mbi

• The Hiding Place • November 2024 •

“If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.” ~ Betsie Ten Boom

This was the show that sparked my interest in theater. What a sweet full circle moment to direct it and watch my students live into these characters.

PC: @xxdestinymarie

#director #thehidingplace #theater #mbi

much beauty found in the chaos ✨ 2024 wrapped

much beauty found in the chaos ✨ 2024 wrapped

a scene from Arcane… which I have never seen and have zero context for.

a scene from Arcane… which I have never seen and have zero context for.

to wrap up the year you’re looking at Chicago’s most recent SAFD certified combatants in staff… and they passed with recommendation ✨

#quarterstaff #stagecombat #actorlife #actorthings

to wrap up the year you’re looking at Chicago’s most recent SAFD certified combatants in staff… and they passed with recommendation ✨

#quarterstaff #stagecombat #actorlife #actorthings

We open in TWO WEEKS! Come support our students and get your tickets now!

moody.ticketspice.com/the-hiding-place-1

We open in TWO WEEKS! Come support our students and get your tickets now!

moody.ticketspice.com/the-hiding-place-1

Wisteria is out now! Link in bio 🦋

#wisteria #shortfilm #actor #actress #acting #actorlife #setlife #bts #behindthescenes #film #filmmaking

Wisteria is out now! Link in bio 🦋

#wisteria #shortfilm #actor #actress #acting #actorlife #setlife #bts #behindthescenes #film #filmmaking

hard to forget this fever dream set. two overnights and many snacks later. was amazing working with my co-star @josh.u.are 🌗

catch Wisteria out now! link in bio.

directed: andrew roberts
catering: @jess._.pedersen
real star of the show: tampopo the cat

#actor #acting #actorlife #actortok #setlife #bts #behindthescenes #shortfilm #film #filmmaking #dayinthelife #actingbiscuits

hard to forget this fever dream set. two overnights and many snacks later. was amazing working with my co-star @josh.u.are 🌗

catch Wisteria out now! link in bio.

directed: andrew roberts
catering: @jess._.pedersen
real star of the show: tampopo the cat

#actor #acting #actorlife #actortok #setlife #bts #behindthescenes #shortfilm #film #filmmaking #dayinthelife #actingbiscuits

“True healing is a fierce place. It’s a giant place full of monstrous beauty, and glimmering light, and you have to work really hard to get there.” (2 of 2)

a month later, Sugar’s words are still coming to mind. what a joy to be in a show and memorize important things that you hope to remember the rest of your life.

photos by @chattstatefinearts

#tinybeautifulthings #sugar #purpleballoon #sexysanta #dearallofuswhowanttoplease #dearstuck #dearconfused #dearstillnotbuyingit #dearorphan #dearwhytell #dearcurious #dearwtf #deartoomuch #dearthief #dearlivingdeaddad #dearhopeful #vangogh #actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #theater #theatre #straightplay #actingbiscuits

“True healing is a fierce place. It’s a giant place full of monstrous beauty, and glimmering light, and you have to work really hard to get there.” (2 of 2)

a month later, Sugar’s words are still coming to mind. what a joy to be in a show and memorize important things that you hope to remember the rest of your life.

photos by @chattstatefinearts

#tinybeautifulthings #sugar #purpleballoon #sexysanta #dearallofuswhowanttoplease #dearstuck #dearconfused #dearstillnotbuyingit #dearorphan #dearwhytell #dearcurious #dearwtf #deartoomuch #dearthief #dearlivingdeaddad #dearhopeful #vangogh #actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #theater #theatre #straightplay #actingbiscuits

a tiny. beautiful. show. (1 of 2)

Had the absolute privilege of being directed by @jenniarbs who I met in grad school via Zoom back in 2020. It was delightful to get to meet and work in person in Tiny Beautiful Things at @chattstatefinearts.

This show was so timely. I’ve been missing my passion dreadfully and these letters were exactly what I needed to relight my love for the stage. @_the_little_seamstress_, @rich_film_photo, and @saltrocksam were incredible cast mates and so supportive while I crammed an hour worth of monologues into my head. Thank you each for your patience, kindness, and professionalism. You were everything I could ask for in scene partners. I am so so grateful. 💜

xoxo
- Sugar

#tinybeautifulthings #sugar #purpleballoon #sexysanta #dearallofuswhowanttoplease #dearstuck #dearconfused #dearstillnotbuyingit #dearorphan #dearwhytell #dearcurious #dearwtf #deartoomuch #dearthief #dearlivingdeaddad #dearhopeful #vangogh #actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #theater #theatre #reptheatre #straightplay #actingbiscuits #bookedit

a tiny. beautiful. show. (1 of 2)

Had the absolute privilege of being directed by @jenniarbs who I met in grad school via Zoom back in 2020. It was delightful to get to meet and work in person in Tiny Beautiful Things at @chattstatefinearts.

This show was so timely. I’ve been missing my passion dreadfully and these letters were exactly what I needed to relight my love for the stage. @_the_little_seamstress_, @rich_film_photo, and @saltrocksam were incredible cast mates and so supportive while I crammed an hour worth of monologues into my head. Thank you each for your patience, kindness, and professionalism. You were everything I could ask for in scene partners. I am so so grateful. 💜

xoxo
- Sugar

#tinybeautifulthings #sugar #purpleballoon #sexysanta #dearallofuswhowanttoplease #dearstuck #dearconfused #dearstillnotbuyingit #dearorphan #dearwhytell #dearcurious #dearwtf #deartoomuch #dearthief #dearlivingdeaddad #dearhopeful #vangogh #actor #actress #acting #actorlife #actortok #theater #theatre #reptheatre #straightplay #actingbiscuits #bookedit

Got to direct, choreograph, and costume a classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe back in April. My students and colleague killed it ⚔️

Already in deep planning the next one 🔥

#directorlife #stagelife #theatrelife #collegetheater #thelionthewitchandthewardrobe #mbi #theveiltheatre

Got to direct, choreograph, and costume a classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe back in April. My students and colleague killed it ⚔️

Already in deep planning the next one 🔥

#directorlife #stagelife #theatrelife #collegetheater #thelionthewitchandthewardrobe #mbi #theveiltheatre

it was an absolute blast choreographing with @_jared_son_ for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and we thought a little dress up for the reel was in order so… more coming soon ⚔️

#broadsword #knife #stagecombat #combatchoreo

it was an absolute blast choreographing with @_jared_son_ for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and we thought a little dress up for the reel was in order so… more coming soon ⚔️

#broadsword #knife #stagecombat #combatchoreo

San Diego is my new fave for several good reasons ☀️

#cali #sandiego #springbreakrecap

San Diego is my new fave for several good reasons ☀️

#cali #sandiego #springbreakrecap

definitely didn’t trespass to take these photos

#springbreakrecap #hollywood

definitely didn’t trespass to take these photos

#springbreakrecap #hollywood

another day of sun ☀️

#griffithobservatory #springbreakrecap

another day of sun ☀️

#griffithobservatory #springbreakrecap

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