Over five years ago, John was 'volunteered' to audition by his son, Grease choreographer Jordan Kelly, when he was choreographing Canberra Philharmonic's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. After picking up the principal role of the Pharoah in that first foray into musical theatre, he has since notched up over 120 performances in 11 shows in the Canberra region including, most recently, Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular (Pee Wee Productions), Footloose (SUPA Productions) and the world premiere of the locally written musical comedy, Winging My Way To The Top (Strahan-Walsh Productions).
John is no stranger to performing, with a career that has included seminar presenting and MC roles throughout Australia and SE Asia, singing at weddings and charity events, TV commercials and independent film acting roles. He also regularly teaches fitness classes in Canberra. He is happy to be working with his son again in Grease, and is also excited to have been included in this talented cast, excited to be doing his third show under the expert direction of Stephen Pike and honoured to add QCC to a growing list of companies with which he has performed.
View My Personal BioWith a background career in the Fitness Industry over the last 30 plus years, John is an interesting blend of youthful energy and mature life experience. His vocal talents have been used in a number of corporate settings including MC roles at product launches and live demos to which his background as a sales trainer and consultant have added benefit. John has also delivered corporate presentations on a variety of topics for groups ranging in size from 10 to several hundred. He has also been highly regarded as an MC for Charity events (e.g. Oscar Gala 2011 and 2013 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation). Quick witted and with a wide ranging sense of humour, John is able to think well on his feet as well as deliver well scripted presentations. John's keen interest is in using his vocal qualities and eloquent style in voice-over work, commercials, acting, interview and talk-back work and session singing. In recent times John has performed in Canberra musical theatre in the Elvis themed role of "Pharaoh" in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", in the dark role of "Caiaphas" in "Jesus Christ Superstar", as a Nightclub Singer in Free Rain's successful 2012 production of "Chicago". In 2013 John will appear in two roles within "West Side Story" - the comic relief of Glad Hand and the dramatic role of Doc and play a lead as a Robot in Queanbeyan Players production of "Return to the Forbidden Planet". Over the last several years John has also MC'd and sung at several weddings, charity events and private functions. John's preferred singing genre is in jazz, swing and crooning in the style of Michael Buble, Tony Bennett and Sinatra but has also ventured into Elvis and show tunes. With an active fitness lifestyle, a background in Martial Arts and an interest and pursuit of outdoor recreation (abseiling and canyoning) John is equally prepared to take on physical roles as well as those demanding more emotive performance. Easy to work with, professional, charismatic and fun-loving, John will commit 100% to any assignment large or small.
View my Bio from Grease