by Jessica Lynch
Do you dream of seeing your name in lights and delivering stellar performances on stage? A career in theater might be right for you – just as it was for Cape Cod Community College alum Jeffrey Kelly.
Kelly, who studied Performing Arts at the college, has built a career doing what he loves: acting and singing. He has appeared in shows such as “Annie (National Tour),” “Jersey Boys,” “Hairspray” and, most recently on Broadway, “Bandstand.”
I caught up with Kelly, who, according to his website, is working on his next production for debut on September 14th, to learn more about his experiences in theater.
Q: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue theater professionally?
A: I was doing “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at Falmouth Theatre Guild, having pretty recently discovered a love of theater at 4Cs. I just enjoyed what I was doing so much early on that I didn’t really plan it, I just wanted to keep doing it. And it kind of spiraled out from there.
Q: What was your experience studying theater at 4Cs? Were there any roles that you played while attending school here that were particularly special to you?
A: So, “Macbeth” at 4Cs was the first time I set foot on a stage outside of performing in band since I was in middle school. I got the opportunity to play Banquo in “Macbeth” under the direction of Vana (Trudeau, Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator for the Arts and Communication/Performing Arts department at 4Cs). It definitely got me hooked on all things theater-related. From the classes there at the time I was also able to dip my hands into the technical world of theater as well. Sadly, I couldn’t/haven’t been able to do more there, but I loved the college since I first attended and miss my time in the Tilden (Auditorium).
Q: After leaving 4Cs, what steps did you take to pursue theater professionally?
A: Just out of 4Cs, I did a lot of community theater, tried to well-round myself a lot more with vocal lessons and went to receive training. I was finishing at AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) around the time the pandemic hit. Took a break till the pandemic sort of cleared (I landscaped and worked at Burrito Bistro at that time), then went back to NYC to take my school up on a post-pandemic offer (we could redo our final semester since the pandemic began about one-third into it.) After finishing my final FINAL semester, I was in “She Loves Me” out in Plymouth before making my off-Broadway debut in “Friends: The Musical Parody.” To say it’s been an unconventional approach to a career is putting it lightly.
Q: Regarding your most recent performance in “Bandstand,” what character did you play and what was your overall experience like working on that production?
A: Performing in “Bandstand” was a dream come true. I got tickets for my mom and I for its closing week on Broadway. Joe Carroll’s role, Johnny, I knew would be perfect for me as it required an actor/singer who could play jazz drum set. The character is a World War II vet who has suffered a traumatic brain and spine injury, the result of which makes him slow to the draw and forgetful of anything non-music related. I loved portraying this role in every way. And the Rev (The Rev Theatre Company) does such a beautiful job with their productions, it was a great place to explore this role. Just being able to take a story of someone who went through something so traumatic but uses love of music to express himself was awe-inspiring. It helps that he’s a goofy space cadet; wasn’t much of a stretch.
Q: Is there anything that you do to get into character?
A: Honestly, just a deep breath in the wings and a recap of the “recent journey of the character” before entering the stage helps with making the character feel more lived in moment to moment. I do like to change my routine frequently in a run though, it gets me to stay more engaged throughout a show if I change it up.
Q: Do you have any advice for students who are studying theater and have an interest in pursuing it professionally?
A: The work is never done, but this is a fun, rewarding career. It comes with a lot of compromises, but it’s worth it if you love it. There are lots of jobs in the theater as well; diversify and learn how to lend a hand where it’s needed most.
You can follow Jeffrey Kelly on Instagram at @jeffreytkellytheatre or visit his website at jeffreytkelly.com.