Kimberly Shannon Atkinson, a multifaceted individual with a unique blend of interests, was raised in the charming college town of Clemson, South Carolina. Growing up, she effortlessly navigated between her tomboyish love for basketball, her flair for beauty pageants, and her passion for poetry. However, it wasn't until her college years that she discovered her true calling in acting.
Atkinson's academic journey took her to a small liberal arts school in Charleston, South Carolina, where she pursued degrees in English and journalism. It was during this time that she began to explore her acting talents, landing commercials and auditioning for major film projects that came to town. After completing her undergraduate studies, she was accepted into the prestigious University of Washington's Professional Actor Training Program, alongside esteemed institutions like Yale, NYU, and Juilliard.
Throughout her graduate studies, Atkinson continued to hone her craft, working as an actress in independent film, television, and commercials. She also spent her summers performing outdoor Shakespeare productions in Seattle, Washington. In 2001, she made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles, where she has since established herself as a prominent entertainment professional.
With over 20 years of experience in stage, film, TV, commercial, and voice-over acting, Atkinson's impressive credits include numerous commercials and roles on popular television shows such as Shondaland's For The People, Criminal Minds, True Blood, and NCIS. As a voice-over artist, she has lent her talents to major projects with FOX, TNT, and the NFL, as well as national campaigns for prominent brands like Tempurpedic and HTC.
Atkinson's film and made-for-television movie credits are equally impressive, featuring notable roles in Scream of the Bikini, The Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer, and popular indie horror shorts like Dollface and The Sound of Fear. Her dedication to her craft has earned her numerous accolades, including a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Maverick Movie Awards.
In addition to her acting pursuits, Atkinson is a passionate advocate for theater arts, serving as a producer, private coach, and teacher. She is also a partner in the Practical Goal Setting Technique (PGST) and Power Audition Technique Honing (PATH),which she co-developed with actor and coach Gregory Sims. Furthermore, Atkinson is the founder and co-administrator of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of Sacred Fools Theatre Co., a organization dedicated to creating an inclusive and respectful artistic environment.
Atkinson's latest endeavor is co-creating and co-producing the ongoing theatre action, We The People, with actor Amir Levi. This project aims to highlight the experiences of Los Angeles' diverse community, while raising funds for related non-profit organizations. When she's not working or volunteering her time to theater arts, Atkinson enjoys spending time with her talented actor/writer/coach husband, Gregory Sims, and their remarkable daughter.
