Karen Kay

CEO

Karen was influenced into joining the entertainment industry by her father who had a highly successful career in London, reaching the top of his field in record company management. Karen began her career in London working with a top agency (ICM), she then focused on marketing, public relations and event management.

Karen then moved to New Zealand and continued assisting major companies with public relations. In 1989, Karen was the driving force behind founding and establishing the world famous Variety The Children’s Charity in New Zealand and initiated Variety’s two biggest fundraisers – the Variety Club Bash and Gold Heart Day. Shortly after, Karen was approached by leading personalities to manage their careers, which saw the start of Karen Kay Management.

Throughout Karen’s career she has proven to be entrepreneurial and tenacious in seeking win win situations for her clients. Karen is a proud member of Women in Film and Television (WIFT).

p: +64 9 379 2010
m: +64 27 497 3063
karen@actors.co.nz

Mila Stephenson

Managing Director

The buzz for the entertainment industry certainly runs in the family! Mila, Karen’s daughter, joined the agency in 2012 and is now a Senior Agent and co-owner. She holds a Bachelor of Communications Degree majoring in Public Relations, after studying at AUT in New Zealand and Cardiff University in the UK.

Mila enjoys being a champion of everyone’s journey and collaborating with clients to provide support, enthusiasm and encouragement.

p: +64 9 379 2010
p: +64 21 069 1061
mila@actors.co.nz

Rosie Carnahan

Senior Manager

Rosie has spent her entire adult life working in the comedy industry, and has a BA (hons) in Drama and Sociology. She started by opening a performance space, The Green Room, in Christchurch straight after University. There she met her now husband Rhys Darby. The two of them have travelled the world with Rosie gaining experience in running comedy clubs in Edinburgh and the Classic in Auckland. She has worked as a talent booker and producer for the NZ International Comedy Festival and the UK chain Jongleurs.  Since having two boys she has focussed on producing, touring many comics (including Rhys) throughout NZ. Producing all Rhys’ comedy specials and several pilots for him in the US.

Rosie’s real passion is helping creatives achieve their dreams (and avoid getting boring jobs). She calls herself an enabler and is proud of it.

p: +64 9 379 2010 
rosie@actors.co.nz

James Collins

Junior Agent

As a lover of Storytelling, James naturally studied (supposedly) the most non-fiction of subjects, Law. He sprinkled in both psychology and philosophy to maintain some semblance of sanity over his 5 years of study at Otago University. After graduating, he found a sensible job in Government, however his love of storytelling never faded.

He course corrected and in 2017 did a one year diploma in Film and Television studies. He’s since worked both across drama and reality before finding a place at KKM in 2021. His love of media and writing gives him a depth of knowledge in terms of character archetypes and story tropes. He loves working with actors and watching them develop their craft to deliver unforgettable performances.

p: +64 9 379 2010 
m: +64 22 363 5921
james@actors.co.nz