About

Having trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge, Kelly has vast experience in re-imagining classic plays; taking them from concept, adaptation, rehearsal room, performance, and even mid-scale touring.

Beginning as an Assistant Director, Kelly became Associate Director for OVO Theatre in St. Albans, a theatre company specialising in actor-musician-led modern adaptations of classics, from 2022-2025. Kelly directed at least 3 shows a year for OVO, and played a vital role in their programming and wider artistic leadership. While Kelly continues to be an Associate Artist for OVO, Kelly has now left her full-time role there to seek out new opportunities to continue to grow as a freelance Theatre Director.

Kelly has since worked with companies such as Make It Beautiful and Food For Thought, giving dramaturgical support for new writing, developing site-specific theatre in unusual spaces, as well as assisting on BSL-integrated theatre. Her London Debut is taking place this December at The Park Theatre, London with ‘Gawain & The Green Knight’.

As a working-class director, Kelly has a particular interest in new writing dealing with the themes of class, and how they intersect with wider ideas such as gender, race, and disability.

Kelly seeks collaborations with artists from all disciplines to make work that can constantly question what theatre is - and can be - and that tells stories about who and what we are.

She believes that theatre can change the way we see the world around us and should galvanise that change. 

She wants theatre to be for everyone.