The Performing Artist Magazine Debuts with Levy Lee Simon’s Powerful Journey from Stage to Memoir!

April 22, 2025 at 02:59 AM EDT

Kaylene Peoples launches The Performing Artist magazine, boldly exploring stagecraft, comedy, podcasting & more—curated to inspire today’s performers

(PRUnderground) April 21st, 2025

Levy Lee Simon graces the cover of the inaugural issue of The Performing Artist, a genre-defying magazine that explores the full spectrum of creative expression—from writers and memoirists to playwrights, screenwriters, actors, comedians, podcasters, and more. Featuring original content, exclusive interviews, and thoughtful tributes, the debut edition shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of performance while establishing the magazine as a vital new voice for those living life in the spotlight.

A prolific composer, award-winning publisher, and classically trained jazz artist, Kaylene Peoples is the founder of KL Publishing Group. With five magazines under her leadership—AGENDA, Schmooze Jazz, Virtuoso Bass, Jazz Influencers, and now The Performing Artist—she continues to elevate underrepresented voices and challenge industry norms through powerful editorial platforms. As author, curator, and executive editor, Peoples leads this launch issue with both her pen and vision—shaping its themes, contributing original writing, and steering the magazine into uncharted creative territory.

“I’ve lived this life—from the stage to the scoring studio,” she shares. “This magazine is a curated reflection of the artists I’ve admired, learned from, and collaborated with. It’s personal—and it’s time.”

The debut issue centers around playwright and actor Levy Lee Simon, whose memoir Odyssey Towards the Light traces his deeply personal journey from Harlem to Broadway and beyond. In an intimate interview, Simon reflects on transformation, addiction, and the evolution of identity through art. “I just feel happy that Book I is written,” he says. “Writing a memoir is a new experience, much different from writing a play or a movie script.”

A highlight of the issue is its tribute to the 77th Writers Guild Awards, with guest contributor Sheryl Aronson joining Peoples in honoring the screenwriters who shape the narrative spine of film and television. “Without writers, there is no performance,” says Peoples. “Their voices are the foundation of our industry, and they deserve the spotlight too.”

In her Editor’s Letter, Peoples describes how the issue was sculpted around the world of memoir and theatre—two profoundly expressive forms of storytelling. Publishing Simon’s memoir gave Peoples rare insight into a creative process she had long admired. “How does a playwright, screenwriter, and actor transition into memoir writing?” she asks. “Once that question came into focus, the entire issue seemed to create itself.”

In the feature From Stage to Page, the magazine explores that very question—highlighting literary pioneers like Tennessee Williams, August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Ntozake Shange, who transitioned from playwriting to memoir and reflective prose in powerful, culturally defining ways.

The magazine also confronts the darker realities behind comedy in “Laughter & Loss: The Tragic Genius of Freddie Prinze and Robin Williams,” revealing the often-hidden mental health struggles that accompany comic brilliance. Additional features explore the legacy of Lucille Ball, the Marx Brothers, Laugh-In, The Muppets, Dave Chappelle, and Seinfeld—offering a compelling timeline of comedic evolution and cultural relevance.

Wellness is another major theme, with a dedicated section offering grounded advice for staying mentally and physically healthy while navigating a life in the performing arts. From self-care and emotional boundaries to pacing and perspective, this section reminds artists that longevity in the spotlight begins with balance.

The issue also embraces podcasting as a fast-rising, performance-based storytelling medium. In “The Voice Behind the Mic,” Peoples explores the growth of podcasts and their new role in modern entertainment. As a fan of the medium herself, she offers both admiration and practical insight. Additional features tackle the real-world challenges that performers face—from burnout and rejection to creative reinvention and resilience—offering thoughtful, experience-driven guidance from seasoned thespians, vocalists, dancers, and multidisciplinary creators.

Among the standout features is A Star’s Tumble, an original fictional drama by Peoples that captures the raw chaos and unexpected triumph of life onstage. Mastering the Stage curates performance philosophies and career reflections from legends like Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, and Meryl Streep, offering readers timeless wisdom from the masters.

With stunning visuals, expert contributions, and Peoples’ visionary leadership anchoring every page, The Performing Artist stands not just as a magazine, but as a tribute to the courage, complexity, and brilliance of those who live for the craft.

The print and digital editions of The Performing Artist are available now. Visit KL Publishing Group for more information, or Email Us for media inquiries, interviews, or review requests. Now available on Amazon (U.S. and select international stores)!

About THE PERFORMING ARTIST

The Performing Artist is a genre-defying print and digital magazine that celebrates the full spectrum of creative expression—from stage to page, from podcast to performance. Created by award-winning publisher, composer, and jazz artist Kaylene Peoples, the magazine champions the voices of actors, musicians, dancers, comedians, writers, and multidisciplinary performers who shape the cultural narrative of our time.

Each issue features original content, exclusive interviews, and curated insights that spotlight both iconic and emerging talent across the performing arts. From memoir and screenwriting to stagecraft, podcasting, and wellness, The Performing Artist offers readers a deeply personal and professionally enriching experience. We explore the realities behind the spotlight—the discipline, the doubt, the reinvention—and honor the courage it takes to live a life of performance.

With powerful features on industry legends and rising innovators alike, the magazine exists to inspire, inform, and elevate artists navigating an ever-evolving creative world. Through thoughtful storytelling and expert-driven commentary, The Performing Artist serves as both a muse and a mirror for those who live to perform.

For more information, visit the official website at www.theperformingartist.org. The Performing Artist is a KL Publishing Group magazine.

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