In “A Christmas Hero,” Kayla Myers — professionally known as Kayla Kelly — plays the ex-wife of Nick Averie, a young veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after returning home from serving in Afghanistan and stuggles to find the joy in the life he once knew.

After Averie, played by actor Michael Welch, comes close to giving up all hope, he is paid a visit by his guardian angel, who shows him that there is more to his life than he’s ever known.

The majority of the production, filmed in spring 2019, takes place at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Mich., where Averie finds a new purpose in life by teaching children about airplanes.

“This isn’t the typical Christmas film, but it’s a good watch,” Myers said. “This shows those who suffer from mental illness that there are people out there that can help change your life.”

KAYLA KELLY

“It’s a hopeful story,” she added.

Myers notes this was the first time she has worked with a well-known actor, referring to Welch, who is known for his role as Mike Newton in the “Twilight” saga series.

“He was an excellent co-star — very professional and kind behind the scenes,” Myers said. “Being a part of this film was a rewarding experience.”

Myers said she landed the role after a director posted that she needed someone immediately. “She is the background cast director for ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’ so I was thinking it was for a background actress, not the bigger role it was,” she said.

A premiere for “A Christmas Hero,” written and directed by Phil Wurztel, initially was scheduled at the Air Zoo, as well as to be released in theaters. But COVID-19 restrictions forced a change in plans.

“A Christmas Hero” now is available on DVD at Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon and Target. The film also can be seen on Video On Demand; iNDEMAND (Comcast, Cox, Charter); Redbox Digital; Vudu; Fandango; Google Play; Dish Network; DirecTV; Microsoft; Verizon; Vubiquity; Frontier; and Rogers.

They plan to sell the movie after January, Myers added, so it may end up on Hulu, Netflix and additional outlets.

The actress, who also owns and photographs for Blaze Photography, is excited about the release and watched it for the first time with her family Tuesday evening.

Myers began “performing” in front of people at a young age, making her first stage appearance at age 13. “I’d sing loudly — imagine the little girl in ‘Prancer.’ It wasn’t good,” she said.

Myers also loved to put on skits for her family with her younger brother. But she credits her fascination with acting to her uncle, Randy Dykstra.

“If you’d been to any Dickinson County Community Theatre productions in the ’90s, chances are you knew my uncle,” Kelly said. “I absolutely loved watching him transform into someone new.”

Myers enjoyed participating in drama productions throughout high school. After graduation, she started a family, began college and put acting aside until 2015, when she landed the role in the play, “Frankenstein.”

This brought back her love of the rush of being on stage. “The old flame was re-ignited,” she said.

She dreamed of working in films but never thought it would became a reality. Then she landed a small part in the film, “Nowhere, MI,” directed by an old theater friend, Robert Vornkahl, and filmed in Iron Mountain.

“My scene didn’t make the final cut of the film, but I didn’t let that discourage me,” Myers said. “This was the sign I had been waiting for — I will always cherish the time I had on that very first film set in 2016.”

She since has been involved in more than 20 film, television and new media projects, as well as many commercials. Myers also emceed a festival event with more than 10,000 people.

The rise of COVID-19, however, has had an effect on her career.

“I had six projects this year that had to be rescheduled or canceled due to the pandemic,” she said. “I’m in a few other films currently streaming.”

She is excited about the thriller film, “An Intrusion” that is set to come out next year starring Keir Gilchrist of Netflix’ “Atypical” and Billy Boyd of “Lord of the Rings.”

Myers is involved as well in the popular local media project, “Northbound,” written and directed by Seth Anderson of Norway. The first two seasons can be viewed on SeekaTV, which is a free streaming channel.

She also has been doing some writing with the hopes to film her own screenplay next fall.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.