Ardrey Kell Theatre
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Ardrey Kell High School
Charlotte, North Carolina
ALUMNI
Many of our theatre alumni continue their theatrical puruits!
John Lee Rudolph
2018
Elon University
BFA in Acting
Favorite show at AK was The Hunchback of Notre Dame
"The most important thing I learned as a member of AK Theatre was the value of a supportive environment. Everybody in AK Theatre from the top-down wants you to succeed, and being in that kind of environment helped me grow into the performer I am today."
Jellaby U/S in Arcadia, Elon University
Guildenstern U/S in Hamlet, Elon University
Member of Instant Laughter, Elon Performing Arts Department's Improv Team
Stand Up Comedy: Opened for Spring Comedian, Nicole Byer (2020)
The Messenger in Medea, Elon University (Spring 2021)
Aubrey Hill
2018
The University of Virginia
BA Drama, BA Psychology
Minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality with Gender Studies Concentration
Favorite role at AK was stage managing Shipwrecked!
"AK Theatre taught me how to believe in myself and my abilities. From long Saturday rehearsals to picnics at the local neighborhood, the community of artists grew close enough to feel like a family of love and support. The people in that community always cheered me on, and I know that I am a better person and a stronger actor because of their influence."
Stage Manager, Into the Woods, First Year Players at UVA (Fall 2018)
Janice Conover/Helena Landess and Dance Captain, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, First Year Players at UVA (Spring 2019)
Stage Manager Heathers, Spectrum Theatre at UVA (Fall 2019)
Fundraising Chair, The Music Man, First Year Players at UVA (Fall 2019)
Assistant Publicist, The Elephant in the Room, Millennium Stage at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Fall 2019)
Princess #12, Once Upon a Mattress, UVA Drama Department (Spring 2020)
Business Manager, Kiss Me, Kate, First Year Players at UVA (Spring 2020)
Costume Assistant, The Black Monologues, The UVA Drama Department (Spring 2020)
Choreographer, Singin' in the Rain, First Year Players at UVA (Spring 2021)
Director, Curtains, First Year Players at UVA (Fall 2021)
Jacob Bollacke
2017
Elon University
BFA in Acting
Minor in Communications
Favorite roles at AK were Billy Flynn in Chicago and Mr. Kipps in The Woman in Black
"The most important thing I learned at AK is to believe in myself. Every role I had taught me to be a better actor, and I am forever thankful for the opportunities that Ardrey Kell Theatre provided for me."
Member of Elon University's Rip_Chord, award-winning acapella group
*Performed The National Anthem for the Charlotte Hornets with Rip_Chord (2018)
*Recorded a studio album with Rip_Chord (2018)
Gus/Augustus (US) in Aracadia, Elon Performing Arts (2019)
Timmy in Clown Bar, Elon Performing Arts (Fall 2019)
Horatio in Hamlet, Elon Performing Arts (Spring 2020)
Recognitions:
Inducted into Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Anna Hertel
2017
Elon University
BFA in Musical Theatre
Favorite role at AK was Velma Kelly in Chicago!
“AK theatre taught me the importance of collaboration. I learned how to value taking risks as a performer that have molded me into the artist I am today. I am so thankful for the opportunities that AK brought to this community! The love and support is never ending in this department."
Broadway Dreams Company performer and assistant (NYC) (2018)
William Ivey Long Tribute at Blumenthal Performing Arts (featured performer-Velma Kelly) (2018)
Graziella in West Side Story, Lexington Theatre Company (Lexington, KY) (2019)
Ensemble in Newsies, Lexington Theatre Company (Lexington, KY) (2019)
Swing/Dance Assistant in Cabaret at Elon University (Fall 2020)
Ensemble/Dance Captain in We Will Rock You at Elon University (Spring 2020)
Maddie Coggin
2016
Appalachian State University
BA in Theatre Education with a minor in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies
Drama Teacher at Ridge Road Middle, Charlotte, NC
Matthews Playhouse Teacher
Favorite show at AK was Our Place
"The most important thing I learned at AK was what a passion for creating theatre looks like. There are so many lessons I will take with me and apply within my future classrooms."
Director of God of Carnage
Stage Manager for Appalachian Young People's Theatre
Assistant Director for Peter and the Starcatcher
Production Manager for New Play Festival
House Manager and Box Office Assistant for the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, Valborg Theatre,
and IG Greer
Awards and Recognitions:
Member and Recruitment Chair for Alpha Psi Omega - Lamba Zeta Chapter
President (2019-20) and New Play Chair (2018-19) of Playcrafters
Kelly Miller Award Recipient 2019 - Work in New Plays
Lily Jordan
2016
Appalachian State University
BA in Theatre Performance
Music Minor
Favorite show at AK was 42nd Street
"I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t found a home with Ardrey Kell’s theatre department. I learned to stop at nothing to chase the goals that I wanted. I realized that the only thing getting in my way of being successful was me, and as I said in my last musical at AK (Mary Poppins), “if only we could get out of our own way”. Thank you for teaching me courage, persistence, and the determination to stop the world from telling me no."
Janet van De Graff in The Drowsy Chaperone, Appalachian Musical Theatre Ensemble
Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Appalachian Musical Theatre Ensemble
# 11 in The Wolves, Appalachian State Theatre and Dance Department
Ilse in Spring Awakening, Appalachian State Theatre and Dance Department
Roshelle in Tortoise and the Hare 2, Ensemble Stage--Banner Elk
Recognitions:
Excellence in Theatre Scholarship
APO Excellence in Theatre Scholarship
Samantha Richmond
2016
UNC Chapel Hill
BA Public Relations
Dramatic Arts Minor
Favorite role at AK was Dance Captain of Mary Poppins
“AK Theatre taught me that theatre has the power to bring together so many different people and create something so beautiful and memorable. AK Theatre truly provided such an accepting, supportive environment that I didn’t think theatre could provide for me.”
Holly in Our Place (Fall 2018), Ensemble in Cabaret and The Producers
Company Management Intern at North Carolina Theatre
Choreographer of Pippin, Chicago, and Growing Pains
Box Office Manager and Fundraising Chair for Company Carolina
Secretary of Alpha Psi Omega Honors Theatre Fraternity
Recognitions:
Nominee for “Best Choreography” in the 2018 Penny Awards and the 2018 Oppie Awards
Haley Stone
2016
UNC Chapel Hill
BA Human Development and Family Studies
Dramatic Arts Minor
Favorite role at AK was Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins
"AK Theatre helped me discover who I am and who I could be. Mr. Gabbard, Mr. Seagroves, and everyone involved in the AK theatre community fosters an environment in which the students have the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This environment challenges and pushes students to be better, and the experiences stick with them forever. I'm the person I am today because of AK Theatre and the love that this community showed me."
Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, UNC Pauper Players
Alice Murphy in Bright Star, Company Carolina
Member of the UNC Loreleis, award-winning acapella group
Awards:
2019 UNC Penny Award for Best Actress in a musical for Alice in Bright Star
2019 UNC Oppie Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Alice in Bright Star
Connor Nielsen
2015
UNC Chapel Hill
BA Dramatic Art and Economic Development
Favorite role at AK was Julian Marsh in 42nd Street
"The most important thing I learned in AK Theatre was the importance of building an inclusive
community around something we all love."
Richard Bailey in Kinky Boots, North Carolina Theatre
Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Theatre Raleigh
Arpad Laszlo in She Loves Me, PlayMakers Repertory Company
Laurent in Tartuffe, PlayMakers Repertory Company
Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Lead in indie short The Scavenger
Awards:
2018 UNC Oppie Awards Best Actor in a Musical for “Burrs” in The Wild Party
2018-2019 UNC Lillian Chason Scholar in Dramatic Art
Nikko Austen Smith
2014
Coastal Carolina University
BFA in Acting
Favorite role at AK was Juliet in Romeo & Juliet
"The most important thing I learned in AK Theatre is to KEEP GOING and keep working hard. What is for you will come to you."
Recurring role (9 episodes) on Ava DuVernay's Queen Sugar on OWN
Lead in an indie feature starring Victoria Rowell (The Young and the Restless), Daphne Reid (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and Richard Brooks (Being Mary Jane)
Signed with Abrams Artists Agency and Seven Summits Pictures & Management in Los Angeles
The Blue Rose, a noir thriller from writer-director George Baron (2021)
This Game's Called Murder by writer-director Adam Sherman, starring Ron Perlman (2021)
Recognitions: Suma Cum Laude (top 3 in class) 2018 Coastal Carolina University
Mckenzie Wilson
2014
UNC Chapel Hill
BA Dramatic Art, BA Communication with focus in Performance Studies
Favorite roles at AK were Assistant Director of Romeo and Juliet and President of ITS
"Listen. Listen to the air around you, your head and heart, your teachers, your parents, your friends, the energy around you, the stories on the news, the sounds the weather and car and computer and dog and shoes make, and all the people and world around you. Whether you are on stage, in the audience, or backstage - take it all in. The only way to make stories matter is to listen to them so that we can share them. So be present, be awake, be prepared, and listen to every experience - fill yourself with stories, with colors, with life. Then share it with whoever will listen."
Carrie The Musical (Ensemble), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Paulina), A Chorus Line (Producer)
The Cherry Orchard (Charlotta), Cabaret (Director), The Vagina Monologues (Performer), Me Too Monologues (Producer)
The Wolves (#13), Our Place (Director, Fall 2018)
Has worked in UNC Pauper Players, LAB! Theatre, Company Carolina, UNC Student Television, Carolina Film Association, Kenan Theatre Company, and PlayMakers Repertory in writing, producing, directing, sound, performing, and arts administration
Has worked professionally in Charlotte and Raleigh and has studied in NYC with professors and artists from NYU, Yale, and Julliard