Kelly studied dance (and multiple sports including competing in Jr. Olympics in volleyball) in the Chicagoland area, ultimately training under Diane Rawlinson in the Hubbard Street DIAMOND program. Under Rawlinson's mentorship, Kelly has had the opportunity to perform pieces by Melissa Thodos, Angela Mollison, Katie Callandra, Keith Elliot, Harrison McEldowney, Christine Baltes, and Eddy Ocampo. She has been a three-time performer in Dance Chicago (New Dances, Best of New Dances, Dances from the Heart) and has performed at the AAHPERD National Dance Convention and Walt Disney World.
Kelly graduated from Denison University with a BFA cum laude in Studio Art and Dance where she was a three-time Vail Scholar, Marimac Scholar, Mary K. Campbell Scholar, Founder's Scholar, and member of the Dean's List. She landed back in Chicago in 2012 and is a musical theatre performer, aerialist, singer, dancer, freelance choreographer, teacher, and illustrator. She is a principal actor with Lyric Opera of Chicago's RING Cycle as well as an aerialist and performer nationwide. Kelly currently resides in Los Angeles.
In spring of 2020, Kelly was set to make her aerial silks debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago when the production of the long-awaited RING cycle was cut short just before opening night due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Choreography credits include: Dance choreographer for Wheeling High School Orchesis, Kiss Me, Kate (Music On Stage), the world premiere of Showgirls: The Musical (A Touch Too Much Productions), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Sweeney Todd, How To Succeed...(Oakton College), 44 Ways to End Your Sex Life (Redtwist Theatre), Evil Dead: The Musical (Arcade Theatre of Milwaukee), Once More, With Feeling: The Buffy The Vampire Slayer Musical (Mary's Attic), Into The Woods (DePaul University), The Perfect Christmas Present (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries).
Teaching credits include: The Actors Gymnasium, Broadway Break Thru, Chicago Children's Theatre, CircEsteem, Cirques Experience, DePaul University, DePaul Prep Academy, Dovetail Studios, Francis W. Parker School, Hamilton Elementary, Hatch Elementary, JCC Chicago, Lycée Français de Chicago, MSA & Circus Arts, Ogden International School, St. Giles Elementary, Trinity High School, and Wheeling High School.
Kelly is a 2018 graduate of the Professional Circus Training Program at The Actors Gymnasium. She is also a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists.
Recent on camera appearances include:
Anheuser-Busch 2021 Swing Dancer Wieden - Kennedy
"Weekend Warriors" 2020 - Abbott Laboratories Motorcyclist (Lead) Mesa Lange Productions
The Perfect Christmas Present Dancer/Choreographer Hallmark/D. Blair Hayes
61st Street Rossi family member/Crying Girl AMC/D. Ramaa Mosley
Chicago P.D. S8 EP.3 Bartender/Waitress (Feat. Background) NBC/D. Eriq LaSalle
Kelly has recently been training in commercial dance with dance and choreography legends Travis Payne and Stacy Walker.
Kelly graduated from Denison University with a BFA cum laude in Studio Art and Dance where she was a three-time Vail Scholar, Marimac Scholar, Mary K. Campbell Scholar, Founder's Scholar, and member of the Dean's List. She landed back in Chicago in 2012 and is a musical theatre performer, aerialist, singer, dancer, freelance choreographer, teacher, and illustrator. She is a principal actor with Lyric Opera of Chicago's RING Cycle as well as an aerialist and performer nationwide. Kelly currently resides in Los Angeles.
In spring of 2020, Kelly was set to make her aerial silks debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago when the production of the long-awaited RING cycle was cut short just before opening night due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Choreography credits include: Dance choreographer for Wheeling High School Orchesis, Kiss Me, Kate (Music On Stage), the world premiere of Showgirls: The Musical (A Touch Too Much Productions), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Sweeney Todd, How To Succeed...(Oakton College), 44 Ways to End Your Sex Life (Redtwist Theatre), Evil Dead: The Musical (Arcade Theatre of Milwaukee), Once More, With Feeling: The Buffy The Vampire Slayer Musical (Mary's Attic), Into The Woods (DePaul University), The Perfect Christmas Present (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries).
Teaching credits include: The Actors Gymnasium, Broadway Break Thru, Chicago Children's Theatre, CircEsteem, Cirques Experience, DePaul University, DePaul Prep Academy, Dovetail Studios, Francis W. Parker School, Hamilton Elementary, Hatch Elementary, JCC Chicago, Lycée Français de Chicago, MSA & Circus Arts, Ogden International School, St. Giles Elementary, Trinity High School, and Wheeling High School.
Kelly is a 2018 graduate of the Professional Circus Training Program at The Actors Gymnasium. She is also a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists.
Recent on camera appearances include:
Anheuser-Busch 2021 Swing Dancer Wieden - Kennedy
"Weekend Warriors" 2020 - Abbott Laboratories Motorcyclist (Lead) Mesa Lange Productions
The Perfect Christmas Present Dancer/Choreographer Hallmark/D. Blair Hayes
61st Street Rossi family member/Crying Girl AMC/D. Ramaa Mosley
Chicago P.D. S8 EP.3 Bartender/Waitress (Feat. Background) NBC/D. Eriq LaSalle
Kelly has recently been training in commercial dance with dance and choreography legends Travis Payne and Stacy Walker.
Unions: AGMA, EMC (AEA), SAG-Eligible
Acting Resume
Aerial/Circus Resume
