From Psychology to Drag: Emeryville Filmmaker Robby Kendall Finds His Creative Balance

June 6, 2026 - 01:53

Growing up gay in a conservative state with an overly Catholic mother who convinced him to ignore his theatrical interests, it was only inevitable that Robby Kendall would imbue his work with tension between duty and self-expression. Now based in Emeryville, Kendall has carved out a unique space where school psychology meets the glittering world of drag performance.

Kendall, who works as a school psychologist by day, never abandoned his creative instincts entirely. Instead, he found a way to merge them. His short films often explore themes of identity, repression, and the masks people wear in different parts of their lives. The filmmaker sees a direct line between his professional work with students and his artistic output. Both require deep listening, empathy, and an understanding of how people hide their true selves.

Drag became a natural outlet. Kendall performs regularly in the Bay Area, using the stage to embody characters that challenge expectations. He says the transformation is not just about costumes and makeup. It is about reclaiming parts of himself that were pushed down during his childhood in a religious household.

His latest project, a short film titled "Sweet," draws from these experiences. The story follows a young person navigating family expectations while discovering their own identity. Kendall shot the film in and around Emeryville, using local spaces that felt authentic to the narrative.

The filmmaker hopes his work resonates with others who grew up feeling torn between who they are and who others wanted them to be. He believes that the most honest art comes from that friction. For Kendall, the balance between psychology and performance is not a contradiction. It is the point.