Rising Stars: Meet Jane Kelly of Upper Westside

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Kelly.

Hi Jane, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was twelve, I decided that acting was my life. Being from a small town in middle-of-nowhere South Dakota, that didn’t come with too many opportunities, and eventually, I decided it was time for me to take matters into my own hands. I founded a tiny theatre company, and we put on an unabridged production of Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 classic “A Doll’s House.” My mom said it was great. We dipped into some classic Irish theatre (our accents were… incomprehensible) but hung up our flat caps with the beginning of the pandemic.

I started college at the ripe age of fourteen and was thrilled to have a space that allowed me to learn, grow, and push myself, all while increasing my experience in theatre. In 2021 and 2022, I was lucky enough to participate in my region’s American College Theatre Festival, and in both years, I made it to the final round of the Irene Ryan acting competition. I moved to Atlanta during my senior year of college to pursue an internship with Synchronicity Theatre. This was a space that allowed me to really thrive, and it prompted me to discover my loves of both arts admin and theatre education! After graduating, I continued to teach, this time through the Alliance Theatre and through The Studios Brookhaven. I was continually surprised and thrilled to find how much I learned just by teaching (it turns out that having to repeatedly explain something to five-year-olds helps you really, really understand it).

Through all of this, I spent my evenings and weekends getting active in the performing side of the Atlanta theatre scene (Side note: Atlanta theatre people are the nicest people in the world!), and about a year ago, I founded Moonrise Theatre with my dear friends Evan Ruede and Angel Escobedo. Moonrise is a registered nonprofit, so it could be argued that it’s a bit of a step up from my childhood theatre company . At Moonrise, we’re working to bring fresh perspectives to Atlanta theatre while ensuring that we’re providing a safe, productive, and fun space for theatre artists to make something they can feel truly proud of.

These days (like most days), I’m juggling everything I can to become a well-rounded and experienced theatre artist. As I jump feet-first into my producer era, I’m continuing work to develop my craft as an actor. In March, I completed The Intensive at The Atlanta Conservatory; I cannot stress enough what an incredible experience it was and how highly I recommend it to any actor wanting to seriously improve their work. In the next two weeks, I’m opening two separate children’s shows that I’ve directed through The Studios Brookhaven. And, I’m finally getting back to work with one of my first loves: Writing. As I revise scripts I’ve completed and continue to plug away at original work, I have some other irons in the fire. Without saying too much, I recently secured the rights to adapt one of my favorite novels into a work for the stage!

What makes all of this possible (and beyond that, fun!) is the incredible community that exists within artists in Atlanta. Learning and working here has introduced me to some of the best and most incredible people I’ve ever met. From close friends to mentors and everything in between, I’ve been lucky enough to step into a beautiful space filled with artists who are willing and excited to lend one another a helping hand.

Tickets sales are currently live for Moonrise Theatre’s production of Amy Herzog’s “Mary Jane”! Come check out this fabulous show May 15 – 17. I hope to see you there!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every road has bumps.

I didn’t grow up in a place where arts were prioritized or even taken seriously, and I often can’t help but feel that I’m struggling to keep up with folks who have had more time to steep in an environment that supports the arts.

Beyond that, I think keeping an open mind to new and different kinds of theatre, as well as new and different perspectives in theatre, is of utmost importance in creating art. I believe that art is one of the only things that allows true understanding between individuals, and it’s important to me that that isn’t lost in trying to meet a standard set often by physical stagnation.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m thrilled doing anything that puts me closer to the stage, though my primary focal points are acting and writing. I would say I’m most proud of the collaborative nature of my work allowing me to create opportunities for others.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
When I have had my greatest successes, they have been the results of my work ethic and my eagerness to learn. I have learned to err on the side of working more and doing more research / welcoming the input of directors and teachers, as that has been instrumental in creating strong professional relationships and creating work of which I can be proud.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/jane.m.kelly/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/moonrisetheatre/

Image Credits
Miracle Bennett, Laila Akar, Evan Ruede, and Casey Gardner Ford