Professor Baron Kelly is a distinguished actor, educator, and scholar with a career spanning over four decades across the United States, Europe, and Asia. A graduate of the Juilliard School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned his PhD in Theatre Research, Professor Kelly is internationally renowned for his expertise in classical theatre, particularly Shakespearean performance.
His illustrious acting career has seen him perform with some of the world’s most prestigious theatre companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre of Great Britain, and the Stratford Festival of Canada. Equally at home on stage and screen, his credits extend to acclaimed television and film productions.
Professor Kelly is also a highly respected academic, currently serving as a Professor of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research and teaching interests focus on acting methodologies, cross-cultural performance practices, and the development of classical theatre training in diverse global contexts.
A passionate advocate for arts education, Professor Kelly has dedicated much of his career to fostering emerging talent and expanding access to high-quality theatrical training. He has worked extensively with underrepresented communities to promote inclusivity in the arts and has collaborated with institutions worldwide to build cross-cultural artistic exchange programs. Professor Kelly recently delivered a lecture to LAMDA students during Black History Month where he outlined the contribution of black actors to the stage from the 10th century until the present day.
His commitment to fostering international partnerships, his extensive experience in both the professional and academic realms, his personal knowledge of LAMDA, and his dedication to supporting the next generation of artists make him a valuable addition to the AFLAMDA board. Professor Kelly’s insights will further strengthen AFLAMDA’s mission to support LAMDA’s world-class training and its growing presence in the United States.