A working life in musical theatre

Kerry Ellis

The work, choices and life around the show — in one contributor’s own words.

Kerry EllisACT ONE presents OFF BOOK
FROM THE ACT ONE ARCHIVE · IDENT

The conversation is being shaped into Scenes for ACT ONE presents OFF BOOK. Video, captions and the Notes Session resource will appear here when the edit is ready.

The person behind the work

Kerry Ellis

Kerry Ellis is an acclaimed West End and Broadway performer and recording artist. She originated Meat in We Will Rock You, became the first British actress to play Elphaba in Wicked in the West End and on Broadway, and has played leading roles including Nancy in Oliver! and Grizabella in Cats. Her work also includes concert touring and collaborations with Brian May.

This preview pairs the conversation with archive imagery. The production gallery is being prepared from official sources.

Pull a thread.

Start anywhere. Each thread opens onto a different part of this working life — a question, a contradiction or something nobody puts in the prospectus.

Conversation thread

Work on the class you are bad at

Kerry distinguishes learning from seeking validation in existing strengths.

Make a note

Conversation thread

Representation as an honest partnership

Kerry’s relationship analogy gives emotional context to professional communication.

Make a note

Conversation thread

Thirteen tracks and a lead: the swing’s system

Kerry’s bible and observation of everyone’s show make hidden preparation concrete.

Make a note

Conversation thread

Your character inside the existing show

Her understudy experience balances personal interpretation with other people’s cues.

Make a note

Conversation thread

Disconnecting from comparison

Kerry describes her own use of social-media distance and exercise.

Make a note

Follow the connections

Explore related perspectives across the course. Different experiences can produce different answers.

Explore the library ↗
STAGE DOOR