Today we’d like to introduce you to Khetphet.
Hi Khetphet, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began in Laos. I came to the United States as a refugee at seven years old, and growing up between cultures shaped how I saw the world. Finding my voice wasn’t always easy, but the arts gave me a place to express myself and connect with others.
That passion led me from Clovis High School to a degree in Theatre Arts at Fresno State, followed by graduate studies in Asian Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Over more than 35 years, I’ve worked as an actor, director, producer, and stunt performer, learning both onstage and behind the camera. My journey has included opportunities on Netflix’s *Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* and *The Brothers Sun*, as well as AMC’s *Interview with the Vampire*.
The road has included rejection, financial challenges, and moments of starting over. What kept me moving was faith, persistence, and a willingness to keep creating. That’s where my philosophy comes from: “We don’t wait…we create.”
Today, through KP1 Studios and KP1 Acting Academy in Fresno, I’m building opportunities for others while continuing my own creative work. I want to help develop local talent, tell meaningful stories, and show people that their voice matters. Teaching, coaching, and mentoring the next generation has become one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
I’m still growing and learning. Getting here has been about believing in the work, showing up, and refusing to give up.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Coming to this country as a refugee and growing up between cultures meant learning where I belonged and how to find my voice. Later, as a Lao-American actor, I faced the challenge of being seen beyond stereotypes and finding opportunities to show the full range of what I could do.
There have been auditions that went nowhere, financial struggles, and times when I had to start over. Balancing my own acting career with building a business and creating opportunities for others has also tested my patience. You can put your heart into something and still face uncertainty about what comes next.
One of the hardest lessons has been learning not to measure my worth by a booking or someone else’s approval. Rejection can feel personal, especially when the work means so much to you. I’ve had to learn to trust my preparation, keep improving, and give myself grace.
Faith, family, friendships, and a love for storytelling have helped me keep going. Those experiences also shape how I teach. I want my students to understand the work and persistence this industry requires, while knowing their voice matters.
That’s why I say, “We don’t wait…we create.” Sometimes moving forward means making your own opportunity, asking for help, or simply finding the courage to try again.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actor, director, producer, stunt performer, and educator. My work spans stage, film, and television, both in front of and behind the camera. Audiences may recognize me from *Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story*, *The Brothers Sun*, and *Interview with the Vampire*. Others know me as “The Mad Laotian.”
Through KP1 Studios in Fresno, I help bring stories to life through production, directing, editing, casting, and content creation. We work on independent films, commercials, podcasts, and business videos. I enjoy helping people take an idea and turn it into a finished production while understanding the planning, budgeting, scheduling, and teamwork required to make it happen.
At KP1 Acting Academy, I teach, coach, and mentor actors. My approach combines character work, relationships, and truthful performance with practical skills such as self-taping and audition preparation. I also emphasize understanding how the industry operates—from casting and professional communication to representation, production expectations, and building working relationships. Talent opens doors, but preparation, professionalism, and business knowledge help sustain a career.
I bring more than 35 years of experience into the classroom, along with what I continue to learn as a working professional. Having worked as both a performer and a filmmaker helps me explain how individual decisions affect the entire production. I want students to understand their responsibilities and arrive ready to contribute.
I’m proud of the opportunities I’ve earned, but seeing students apply their training, build confidence, and book projects is especially meaningful. I’m also proud to help create opportunities for talent here in California’s Central Valley. There are talented people in our community who deserve a chance to be seen.
What sets me apart is the combination of my background as a Lao-American refugee, my experience across several parts of this industry, and my commitment to sharing what I’ve learned. I understand both the creative work and the business operations needed to support it, and I bring that perspective to my productions and teaching.
My philosophy is simple: “We don’t wait…we create.” I want that spirit to carry through everything I do—from telling a story to helping someone build the skills and confidence to tell their own.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I appreciate most is the sense of community, the diversity, and the opportunities to connect and create. There are talented people, local businesses, artists, and community leaders with so much to offer. When people come together and support one another, incredible things can happen.
What I find most challenging is hearing, “There’s nothing to do here,” or “There are no opportunities.” I understand that people face real obstacles, but I believe we each have a role in helping our community grow. If something is missing, that can be an invitation to build it, collaborate, or contribute a new idea.
A quote often attributed to Sun Tzu captures that spirit: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
That’s why I say, “We don’t wait…we create.” I want to be part of the solution and encourage others to do the same. Even in difficult circumstances, there is room for opportunity—and sometimes it begins with us taking the first step.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kp1studios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kphagnasay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kphagnasay/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kphagnasay/
- Twitter: https://x.com/kphagnasay
- Other: www.kp1actingacademy.co and www.kphagnasay.com
