Ashley Karp
Festival Director/Writer/Director/Editor/Producer

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do and your festival?
Hello there! My name is Ashley Karp, and I absolutely adore the arts in every way, shape and form. I am the proud Festival Director for Short+Sweet Hollywood since 2024, as well as a writer, director, editor, producer, musician and avid gamer.

Short+Sweet Hollywood is a branch of the larger international theatre festival Short+Sweet, which has been active for over 25 years and counting. Short+Sweet Hollywood is the only national based festival for Short+Sweet, with plans to expand to a multitude of locations across the U.S. in the years to come. It is such a pleasure to be a part of this incredible festival that serves thousands of creatives both nationally and internationally every year.

Short+Sweet is a non-profit based theatre festival in which each participant competes in 10-minute competition rounds with their respective plays both as a personal showcase and to potentially win prizes from the sponsors. In the past prizes have included complimentary copies of Final Draft and Coverfly, sponsorship programs with NBC, complimentary headshots and printing services with Argentum, as well as multiple other giveaways from local entertainment businesses.

There is no entry fee for actors, directors, and ITC/groups choosing to be a part of Short+Sweet. There is a nominal fee to submit your 10-minute script as a writer, which then enters your script into the international festivals for Short+Sweet as well!

All in all, Short+Sweet Hollywood is an amazing opportunity for my fellow performers all around to be able to create in a fun, safe space, all while making valuable connections in the industry and being showcased on a huge platform. There are multiple ways to make it through each round of Short+Sweet; one of which is the judges/industry vote, in which industry professionals come out to the shows and vote on their favorite plays, actors, directors and writers.

Throughout all of my years being involved in Short+Sweet, and as a fellow creative myself, the most invaluable asset one can have in this industry is having your work and creations be seen and heard. And Short+Sweet Hollywood does just that – it provides an incredible opportunity to individuals to share the stage with like minded creatives, to be showcased and to ultimately have an absolute blast doing it! I love Short+Sweet for what it offers both viewer and performer alike — the community it grows each season, and the love that community in turn shares for the arts.

How did you first become interested in the arts?
I love telling the story of when I was three years young, my dad put on “The Wizard of Oz” for me, and at first I wasn’t sold because it was in black and white. However, when Dorothy opened up that door after the twister and all of that gorgeous color began to pour into my TV screen, my heart skipped a beat and I instantly fell in love with the art of film. The magic of that moment stuck with me, and I believe it was because in that single moment, I was transported to another world, a world of cinema magic, and I was truly awestruck by the fantasy. Since then, I have immersed myself in the world of filmmaking and allow each creative journey to lead to the next. And I’m still making new creations and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.

How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways to engage with art in Burbank?
Community is what art is built upon, and that simple foundation is the most monumental. We need each other, and we together help to heal and empower one another through our everyday. Growing up in Burbank and being a former Miss Burbank, I have witnessed firsthand the kindness and generosity that pours out of each board member, and their love for their community is eminent in everything and everyone they touch. Art in any form is such a beautiful form of expression, and enriching the art communities aids the collective through mental health, physical well-being and ultimately strengthens the bond within the community itself. I love being a part of the Burbank community for so many years thus far and am excited to continue the journey for many more years to come — with Burbank’s instinctive mindset of togetherness.

For my Burbank members: join community events that fit you! Follow the Burbank Arts calendar to scout local events happening and join in on the fun! They have numerous events happening at any given time with a variety of people attending who also want to meet people like your!

If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
If I could share one thing, it would be to never give up. No matter what. This goes even past art or a creative process. It’s the simple fact of sometimes, we can be our own worst critic. For me, when I feel that breaking point of “I don’t think I can write this anymore” or “why am I creating what I’m creating,” that’s when I’m at the pinnacle of something extraordinary. It’s those little moments of doubt that are trounced by the simple idea of “what if it all goes right” rather than it being a catastrophie. It’s then that it’s most important to not give up, no matter the consequences or the seemingly impossibility of it all, that makes everything worth it. Always. So… if you are wondering whether it’s worth creating, go ahead and pick up that pen and create and then create some more!