Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Kelly Davis is a classically trained theatre actress who enjoys performing in both musicals and straight plays. Since moving to the upstate in 2016, she has performed locally at Greenville Theatre, The Warehouse Theatre, Centre Stage, Market Theatre, Mill Town Players, Proud Mary Theatre, and the Greenville Chorale. Kelly is a triple threat actress, singer and dancer. Upcoming productions include Assassins at The Warehouse Theatre (June 2024) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Greenville Theatre (Sept 2024).

Kelly holds a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College, and also studied at the British American Dramatic Academy, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Michael Howard Studios. She lived and worked as an actress in New York City for 16 years before relocating to Easley, South Carolina.

While in New York, Kelly earned membership into all 3 actors unions (AEA, SAG & AFTRA). Kelly landed some juicy acting roles including Abigail in The Crucible at The Kraine Theatre, the title role in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline and the role of Gloucester in King Lear. She received rave reviews for her performance in Sin-Agog at the NYC Fringe Festival. She participated in countless play development readings and rehearsals with companies like Emerging Artists Theatre, Astoria Performing Arts Center, Queens Theatre In the park, and Theatre for the New City. Her cat Cheeky, was featured in the new play festival at Ensemble Studio Theatre!

On camera, Kelly can be seen in March of Shame by College Humor Productions, NYU and NY Film Academy student productions , a SONY promo, as well as worked as a stand in, photo double, and background actor for multiple films and Law & Order. She recorded how-to voiceovers for ivillage.

In Greenville, Kelly works as a teaching artist with SmartARTS and The Warehouse Theatre. Kelly is Vice President at Firefly Solar, owned by her husband – kiwi and tenor Aaron Davis. They have 3 cats and love to travel.

Artist Statement

I am a rehearsal junkie and I love doing “the work.” I strongly prefer stage work to on-camera work because it allows for the storytelling to be organic and spontaneous, feeding off of the audience as much as the other actors on stage. I am often praised for my energy on stage, and I relish being thoroughly engaged in the action on stage, whether I am a principal character or ensemble. I love the homework that goes along with creating a character and that moment where I decide what “key” to use to “unlock” my performance. I adore ensemble work and contributing to the action on stage by reacting and sending the focus back to the main performers. There are no small parts! I believe in uplifting other actors – even those who I am in competition with. I believe there are enough opportunities for everyone to have a chance in the spotlight, and I am content when it’s’ my turn to sit in the audience and support the work of my fellow artists. I am grateful to have found a home in Upstate South Carolina, where the opportunities to perform are abundant, the talent is ripe, and the community is supportive.

I believe that the arts are for everyone, and I align myself with theatre companies that put this statement into action. In my work with Proud Mary Theatre, I was specifically able to uplift the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community. My role in the Pink Unicorn was of a middle-aged Christian widow in Texas whose child comes out to her as gender queer. Tricia’s journey through her faith and ultimate acceptance of her child is one that inspired audiences and provoked thoughtful talkbacks between queer children and their parents, and opened the lines of communication for people who otherwise would not have had a way to do this. My experience performing in RENT at the Market Theatre in Anderson tackled themes impacting the queer community including homelessness and HIV. My role as Callie Pax in Proud Mary’s Stop Kiss tackled hate crime and told a beautiful love story between two women who identified as straight, but who slowly fell in love throughout the play.

Teaching Artistry Details

Teaching Artist Statement

I officially became a Teaching Artist in 2018, however I had unwittingly been preparing for it for over two decades before the puzzle pieces finally came together. In 2016, my husband and I moved to South Carolina. We had just spent 18 months in the San Francisco Bay Area after 16 years in New York City. We came to the south looking for a change of pace, sunny weather, friendly people, and new opportunities.

I quickly began teaching yoga at Soul Yoga in Greenville. That is where I met Prentice – a yogi, actress and teaching artist who would introduce me to SmartARTS and The Warehouse Theatre and mentor me in my first year as a Teaching Artist. I am so grateful that she recognized that my talents and strengths would be useful as a teaching artist. I still cannot thank her enough for sharing her planning process, notes and lesson plans with me. She certainly set me off on the right foot.

My work as a Teaching Artist has been a fusion of my strengths as an actress, yogi and business owner. When approaching an integrated arts lesson, my first strategy is to look at the curriculum, text books and/or notes provided by the teacher. In reading and digesting them, I naturally begin to create dramatic scenes and characters, or movement sequences. Life is dramatic! The transformation of a cell to an organism, or the formation of clouds, or the creation of the Bill of Rights – all naturally lend themselves to drama!

I am grateful to have overcome some of the challenges that I faced as a newer Teaching Artist. Through mentorships and trainings at SmartARTS, The Warehouse Theatre, and The Kennedy Center, I have expanded my teaching toolbox, and that knowledge has benefited both myself and the students and teachers I work with. Through these trainings, I have developed a toolbox of strategies including ideas and templates for all age groups, calls to quiet, positive affirmations, and insight into types of learning styles.

Success is measured in many ways. I have gotten feedback that students’ test scores have significantly improved after working with me. There’s also a feeling of accomplishment at the end of a lesson. Students honest feedback is always welcome. Occasionally a student will start a unit being resistant to participating and learning. Getting these students excited and engaged provides a sense of satisfaction that is immeasurable.

I see the value in reflection and will often end each class with a short reflection, discussion or activity that allows for a sense of closure and affirming words. I find that providing a sense of closure and holding space for reflection can lead to some of the sweetest moments in the classroom.

Description of Offerings

Kelly works with students K-12 and is trained in best practices for integrated arts as well as trauma sensitive and adaptable activities. She also offers workshops in Shakespeare, acting, musical theatre, improvisation, applied theatre, and yoga. She also offers virtual programs or residencies. Virtual residencies are available for middle and high school. Traditional theatre activities will be adapted for the screen and participation/cameras on is encouraged at all times. Students may be put in breakout rooms or asked to record content to share with the group. She has worked with students and adults with disabilities. With The Warehouse Theatre, I assisted with the Spectrum group – working individually with adults on the spectrum on musical theatre content. In New York, I taught a 6 week grant-funded yoga workshop for overweight and obese teenagers. For 6 years I worked with Connected Warriors and was trained in trauma sensitive and adaptive yoga for veterans and their families.

Experienced with the following age groups

• Early Learners (0-2 years)
• Preschool (3-5 years)
• Kindergarten -2nd Grade
• 3rd-5th Grade
• 6th-8th Grade
• 9th-12th Grade
• Higher Education
• Adults
• Creative Aging (Adults 60+)

Materials Provided to Schools or Organizations by Teaching Artist

• Workshops include all handouts/scripts as well as a slide show for display. Also able to provide a speaker and music files if applicable. Additional materials may be provided depending on the nature of the workshop.

Physical and Technical Requirements of a School or Organization

• Ideal setting is a room with space to move around. Stage, gym and cafeteria are all great, or a classroom with desks pushed aside. Class may be louder than usual, so best to have a door that closes.