Born and raised in the Bluegrass state of Kentucky, actress Ka’ssee Rhe’anne (pronounced like “Casey Ray-Anne”) has already compiled an impressive list of film credits. With roles in such indie horrors as Gore: All Hallows Eve (2021), Friday the 13th: The Awakening (2023), Daylight to Dark (2024), and Blood on the Bleachers (2025), one would think that Ka’ssee is a girl who lives and breathes horror, but she tells me that is not the case. “…before I started acting in films, I’d actually not seen many things in the horror genre at all, other than American Horror Story, that’s always been one of my favorites,” Ka’ssee tells me. However, since many of the films she auditioned for were in the horror genera, she did her homework and has since made quite a name for herself in indie horror.
Ka’ssee was recently added to the cast of Chase Dudley’s Between the Living and the Dead, which is currently in the pre-production stages, so not much can be revealed about the film as of this writing, but it’s a story that takes place in post-apocalyptic universe. Since this is the second time Ka’sese has been cast in a Chase Dudley film, and Chase being a very well-respected director in indie films, that says something for Ka’ssee and what fans can look forward to.
Ka’ssee recently took the time to answer some questions for the following exclusive interview with Idol Features, in which she reveals some little-known facts about herself.
CHRIS CHARLES: Thanks for doing this Ka’ssee. I understand you were born and raised in Kentucky and still call it home?
KA’SSEE RHE’ANNE: Thank you for asking me to, this is awesome! Yes, I’m actually from Harlan County originally, but I live in Louisville now with my husband and our little kitty cat family. I don’t think it’s where we want to live forever, I love exploring and seeing the world so much, but Kentucky will definitely always be home for me. I have family here, memories here, plus it’s honestly a really great place. The cost of living is fairly cheap and it’s close enough to Atlanta and Chicago that I can work local hire in those cities as well. With the way the industry has been changing, I’m not exactly sure where the best option to move is at the moment. We’ve thought about Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Atlanta, but who knows what the future holds. I guess we will find out in the next couple of years.
CHRIS: I’ve heard you say in other interviews that you wanted to be an actress since an early age. Did you start by doing stage plays in school?
KA’SSEE: I actually never talk about this much, but I got started in pageants originally at a very early age and did that until I was about six years old. I can’t remember it much, I don’t even know what I used to do for the talent portion, I’ll have to ask my mom. But then I eventually started making YouTube videos of me acting out skits. They’re all deleted, mostly. Thank goodness. Haha. But I did do some theater here and there as well. I was in The Nutcracker as a kid, then did school plays on and off in high school. I always loved drama class in school though. Everyone just always seemed very open and real compared to other classes and I always felt like it was a safe space. A few friends from class and I actually competed in a state wide talent show my junior year by acting out a scene from The Great Gatsby.
CHRIS: When was the very first time you acted in front of a camera?
KA’SSEE: Other than YouTube videos, I was an extra in an independent film made in my hometown called Stand Like A Mountain when I was really young. It was a scene of me and my neighbor at the time hugging our “dad” when he got home from work. At the time that small role was so exciting to me. After high school is when I really started to want to dive deeper into this as a career and from there I just started looking for auditions. It took a bit to get my foot in the door, I didn’t really know where to start. I even called colleges directly to see if they were holding auditions for any student films. When you start out you don’t really have any footage for your reel or professional headshots yet, so it was a struggle to get auditions at first, but I kept taking acting classes and building up my portfolio in any way I could.
CHRIS: You’ve recently been cast as Morgan in Chase Dudley’s Between the Living and the Dead. Can you tell me the storyline of that film and about your character?
KA’SSEE: Oh my goodness, I’m so excited for this character. I can’t say too much at the moment because I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s set in a post-apocalyptic universe and it follows my character and her younger sister as they navigate through the chaos of what’s left of the world and see first-hand just how dark humanity has gotten. It’s going to be very twisted and full of suspense. If you like shows like The Walking Dead or Yellowjackets then this is definitely for you. I would say Morgan is my most complex character to date and a dream role for me. I’m so excited to work with Chase and his team again, their dedication is always so inspiring and they raise the bar with every film they create.
CHRIS: Would you say horror is your favorite film genre?
KA’SSEE: It’s funny that you ask that, before I started acting in films I’d actually not seen many things in the horror genre at all, other than American Horror Story, that’s always been one of my favorites. A lot of auditions that I’d find just so happened to be in the horror genre, so I figured since I was being cast in movies in the genre it would be a good idea to watch some of the ones that I thought I’d like best. I used to think horror relied mostly on gore and shock value, but the more I’ve watched the more I’ve realized that a lot of horror movies are actually mysteries and thrillers as well, and those are some of my favorite types of movies. Like Scream for example, I love trying to figure out who’s behind the mask before the end of the movie. That’s why Blood on the Bleachers appealed to me so much. Yes, it’s horror, but it’s also a murder mystery when you look deeper into it. I am also a big fan of psychological horror films that really make you think. A lot of horror films push the envelope and I love that. I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a favorite genre though. I can go from watching Scream, to The Boys, and then to something like Two and a Half Men and love them all equally. I definitely want to try out every genre.
CHRIS: You already have quite an impressive list of film and video credits. Please tell me the first thing that comes to mind when I mention a select few: Gore: All Hallows Eve.
KA’SSEE: This film is actually so special to me. It was my very first feature length film and I actually met my husband, Matthew, on set. We just kind of clicked right away, I’ve never had that kind of instant connection with anyone. If it wasn’t for this film I wouldn’t have met my soulmate and for that I am forever grateful. It was also my first paid acting job and my first time being on that type of trip by myself where I was treated as an adult, so I’d say it also marked the moment I started feeling like an adult as odd as that sounds. It was such a fun film, I have nothing but great memories from that experience. I was still fairly new to acting so my performance makes me cringe in certain parts, but I think that’s normal when you look back at your old work. Once it was posted it was very surreal seeing all of the comments from people across the world who I’d never even met.
CHRIS: Smile.
KA’SSEE: This one was really fun too! I love that I got to play two completely different versions of the same character. At the time I hadn’t played many villains, so it was really cool to be able to play a character so different from myself when she has the switch and is completely unhinged towards the end.
CHRIS: Friday the 13th: The Awakening.
KA’SSEE: I was only on set for a few hours for this one, but I loved this role! My character was kind of an aloof stoner type and that was really fun to play. Plus, being able to be in a Friday the 13th fan film was great, I know a lot of people hold a special place in their hearts for the original films.
CHRIS: Daylight to Dark.
KA’SSEE: I was actually visiting my mom for Christmas when I was first reached out to about this role, so I didn’t have any of my self-tape equipment and had to set my phone on top of books and do the audition in front of my moms door, but hey, it worked! I love how much comedy is in this film, there were times we all bursted out laughing on set at some of the lines and improvisation actors used. Also, my mom called me after watching it to make sure I didn’t really eat raw meat in that one scene, so that was funny. And nope, not real meat if you were wondering. Haha. I love how it turned out too, it’s technically a horror film but it adds so much comedy and it’s so intentionally campy. It’s actually set in the same universe as the film American Vampire and was written by the same writer, Rollen Jewett, who still keeps in contact and has been so supportive. It will be featured in The Film Basement Horror Film Festival this March as well, so I’m excited to see how it does.
CHRIS: Blood on the Bleachers.
KA’SSEE: I was so ecstatic when I found out I got this part because I’d been wanting to work with Cut 2 The Chase productions for a while after seeing their previous films. Haley was such a fun character to play; I love her sassy attitude, her edgy style, and her sarcastic comments. If I was in some of the situations she was in, especially toward the end, I would not be so calm and collected and I would not have been able to muster up any of the little comments she was able to, so it was really fun to play someone with a completely different attitude and demeanor from myself. I loved how dedicated every single person on this set was, from Chase and his team, to the rest of the crew, to the actors. You could tell everyone there was so passionate about making this film incredible. With over 20 awards so far, I think it’s safe to say all of the dedication paid off and I’m very glad I got to bring one of the characters to life. Watching it in the theatre on the premiere date felt insane, there were so many people there and we got to hear the audience’s genuine reaction to scenes. It was incredible.
CHRIS: Who have been some of your favorite people, on either side of the camera, to work with so far?
KA’SSEE: There are so many amazing people I’ve had the opportunity to work with multiple times, it would be hard to name everyone, but I want to because I hate the thought of leaving anyone out. Of course, I’m excited to work with Chase Dudley and Cut 2 The Chase Productions again. Their films are always top notch and, like I mentioned earlier, his work ethic and dedication is incredible. I am very grateful that I get to work with them on a larger scale in Between The Living and The Dead. I’m also excited to work with S.J. Hermann and Acrostar Productions next year with Tinker Hell, I’ve always found their work wonderful and I’m excited to get on set with them soon. Paul Allen is also always amazing to work with and I can’t wait to film the sequel to Tonight The World Dies next year; his scripts always have so much heart in them and I love that. I’ve worked with Angela Grimm on so many different films and she’s always such a wonderful asset to every set she’s on, she’s incredible. As far as in front of the camera goes, I always love working with Chloe Lutz and Arianna Harris. They’re both insanely talented actresses and we get along so well. Leonard Peterson is someone I’ve only worked with once so far, but we have a few projects together in the next year and his acting is always incredible. I mean, did you see his monologue in Blood On The Bleachers?! So I’m excited to work with him again. I also always love working with Mark Steenbarger and Point of View Stories because he is one of the kindest souls and I love the message and purpose behind his films. Honestly, I’ve had the honor of meeting so many talented, wonderful people through this career and I know I’ve left so many people out, but they’ve all been such a pleasure.
CHRIS: Is there anyone in indie films, on either side of the camera, you haven’t worked with yet, but really want to work with?
KA’SSEE: Well, I’m excited to work with S.J. Hermann next year, I’d been wanting to work with him for a while before I was cast in Tinker Hell. Steve Morris also comes to mind, especially after seeing the trailer to Bad Apples. It looks soooo good and I’m excited to watch it once it’s out on streaming. I’d definitely like to work with him someday as well. Spooky Madison is also someone who I haven’t worked with yet but would absolutely love to.
CHRIS: What would you say has been your most physically challenging role in a film?
KA’SSEE: Honestly, probably the ending scene in Goetia. I remember the first day on set we filmed everything except that last scene where we were tied up and it was a very long day, but somehow the next day when we only had about three hours worth of filming felt so much more physically exhausting just because of the mental state that our characters were in, the constant screaming and crying, and of course being tied up. I don’t want to give too many spoilers even though it’s been released for a while, but that was such an intense scene to film and we all gave it our all and I feel like that shows in the final cut. I love how it turned out.
CHRIS: I caught you as a cheerleader in Megan Moroney’s music video for her single “Am I Okay?” What was that experience like for you?
KA’SSEE: That was so much fun! It was honestly a fairly quick shoot, but I got to meet some really cool people and be a part of a music video that won an MTV Video Music Award! I didn’t get to talk to Megan much, but from the little bit I did speak to her she seems like such a sweetheart. Plus, since then I’ve listened to a lot of her songs and they’re so good!
CHRIS: I see you have a least one film credit for makeup. What are some of the behind the scenes roles you’ve filled while working on a film?
KA’SSEE: Other than makeup, I have held the boom mic many times. Usually that’s pretty simple, but one time I got to a set early and they asked if I could do the boom before my scenes, but they were using equipment I had never seen before, so I kept messing up and asking questions about which buttons to push. By the time it was time to do my scenes the other actors were piecing it together that I wasn’t hired just to do the mic. They must have thought they hired the worst boom operator ever until then (laughs). But yeah, other than that, I’ve slated, hid between a bed and a wall to hold things a certain way in frame, made runs to pick up props. I’m always down to help in any way that I can… I just might have to learn the buttons for a minute first if it involves equipment.
CHRIS: Do you have any talents or hobbies only those close to you would know about?
KA’SSEE: I’ve discovered I actually really enjoy video games! Matt got me into a few for us to play together and I ended up really liking them. After a long day on set I usually unwind by relaxing and playing some games with him. My favorites would probably be decision based games like Until Dawn, anything Nintendo; Mario, Zelda, Kirby, etc., and, as cringy as it sounds; Fortnite. I also used to write a lot, I even worked for my hometown newspaper when I was only 18. I also love puzzles, we frequent escape rooms pretty often. Other than that, I have an obsession with TV and film and I’m a huge animal lover.
CHRIS: Well, thanks again for doin this with me Ka’ssee. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
KA’SSEE: Thank you so much! I definitely want to give a huge shoutout to Matt, he’s been so incredible and is always my biggest supporter. He offers to help out on sets I’m a part of when they need extra hands, he travels with me all across the country when I have to film outside of Kentucky, he helps me practice my lines, he’s usually always my reader for auditions, and he’s always there for me in every way possible. He really does go above and beyond and I am so grateful for that. Aside from film related things, he’s also just such an incredible husband and human being. Also, I want to give a shout out to my mom, Teresa, for being so amazing and so supportive. Even as a kid she never discouraged my dreams or made me feel like they were impossible. She’s always wanting to watch every film I’m in, even if she has to look away if I die. And then I just want to give a shout out to some of the incredibly talented people who have believed in me to help bring their films to life: Chase Dudley, S.J. Hermann, Paul Allen, Mark Steenbarger, and so many more. I’ve gotten to work with so many talented, inspiring people.
CHRIS: Oh, just one last question. What’s the latest addition to your Funko Pop collection?
KA’SSEE: Funnily enough, Piplup was actually my most recent one! I only have a handful at the moment, but I definitely need to expand my collection soon.
Ka’ssee’s most recent acting reel.
See more of Ka’ssee’s works at her IMDb page.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
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