Ron Kellum

Born Ronald Dexter Kellum on February 1, 1965, in Amarillo, Texas, to parents and business owners Willie Kellum and Mary Kellum (née Osby). Kellum grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he started his career in theater at age 12. Kellum was raised in the church where his parents gave him the foundation for his spirituality. Kellum attended and graduated from Manual High School in 1983.{{cite web |title=Manual High School class lists - contact old friends |url=https://old-friends.co/school.php?s=14897#1983 |website=old-friends.co |access-date=6 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Kellum quite $avvy on links |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/08/09/kellum-quite-avvy-on-links/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=6 July 2021 |date=9 August 2008}}

Kellum started his career appearing in theatrical musicals on and off Broadway. In 1994, he was in the original revival cast of the Broadway production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Minskoff Theatre.{{cite web |title=Inside Playbill Gallery |url=https://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000150-ae98-d936-a7fd-eefc628a0002&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=2 |website=Playbill |language=en}} Kellum was cast in the Broadway production of Chicago in 1998.{{cite web |title=Broadway Veteran Ron Kellum to Participate in CBS' The Amazing Race {{!}} TheaterMania |url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/broadway-veteran-ron-kellum-to-participate-in-cbs-_30137.html |website=www.theatermania.com |date=September 2010 |access-date=3 July 2021}} Kellum appeared in the productions of Fame (1994) and Beauty and The Beast at the Shubert Theater in Los Angeles (1996). In 1998, Kellum was cast as Sergeant Fogarty and The Doctor from 1998 until 2000 in the first national tour of the award-winning musical Chicago. Kellum also appeared in the productions of Smokey Joe's Cafe, Hello, Dolly!, and The Wiz (2006).{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Ernio |title=New Musical Take on The Wiz Ends Run at La Jolla |url=https://www.playbill.com/news/article/new-musical-take-on-the-wiz-ends-run-at-la-jolla-nov.-26-136577 |website=Playbill |date=26 November 2006 |access-date=22 June 2021 |language=en }}{{cite web |title=Ron Kellum |url=https://www.playbill.com/person/ron-kellum-vault-0000108976 |website=Playbill |access-date=21 June 2021 |language=en}} He also appeared in a production of Dreamgirls in 2004.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Kenneth |title=Norm Lewis and Billy Porter Woo Dreamgirls, Including Frenchie Davis, in Pittsburgh |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/norm-lewis-and-billy-porter-woo-dreamgirls-including-frenchie-davis-in-pittsburgh-aug-10-22-com-121234 |website=Playbill |date=4 August 2004 |access-date=29 June 2021 |language=en}}

Kellum started producing, directing and/or choreographing theatrical productions in 2005 when he directed a production of "Once on This Island" at Fullerton Civic Light Opera in Fullerton, CA.{{cite web |title=Caught up in life's buoyant dance |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jul-22-et-stage22-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=4 July 2021 |date=22 July 2005}} He then directed and choreographed the production of Dreamgirls in 2008 at the San Diego Musical Theatre. His production of Dreamgirls was awarded "Outstanding Resident Musical" at the Seventh Annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence.{{cite web |title=Craig Noel Awards honor 2008's best stage work |url=https://www.delmartimes.net/sddmt-craig-noel-awards-honor-2008s-best-stage-work-2009feb05-story.html |website=Del Mar Times |access-date=7 July 2021 |date=5 February 2009}}{{cite web |title=Back for a second act: SDMT checks in at "Smokey Joe's Cafe" |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-back-for-a-second-act-sdmt-stages-smokey-joes-c-2010sep28-story.html |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=7 July 2021 |date=28 September 2010}} In that same year, Kellum directed and choreographed the production of Five Guys Named Moe starring Tony and Grammy awards winner Leslie Odom Jr., in 2011, he also directed "Five Guys Named Moe" at the Red Mountain Theatre Company in Birmingham, AL.{{cite web |last1=Reese |first1=Katie |title=Meet the Director of RMTC's "Five Guys:" Ron Kellum |url=https://www.al.com/all-the-drama/2011/04/post_3.html |website=al |access-date=29 June 2021 |language=en |date=2011-04-21}}{{cite web |title=You'll laugh and learn at Candlelight Pavilion – even if your name isn't 'Moe' |url=https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2008/01/10/youll-laugh-and-learn-at-candlelight-pavilion-even-if-your-name-isnt-moe/ |website=Redlands Daily Facts |access-date=26 June 2021 |date=2008-01-10}} In 2010, Kellum directed the production of the musical, Rent at Lewis Family Playhouse in Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga, CA., and in 2012 at the San Diego Music Theatre.{{cite web |title='Rent' comes to Rancho Cucamonga |url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2010/03/02/rent-comes-to-rancho-cucamonga/ |website=Press Telegram |access-date=23 June 2021 |date=2010-03-02}} Kellum directed the musical production of Chicago in 2012 at Oklahoma University, the San Diego Music Theater and at the Sacramento Music Circus in 2013. Also in 2013, Kellum directed the production of The Wedding Singer at the Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham, Al.{{cite web |title=Music Director {{!}} Tom Vendafreddo |url=https://tomvendafreddo.com/music-director/ |access-date=23 June 2021}} In that same year he directed the production of A Chorus Line at the San Diego Music Theatre and at the Rancho Cucamonga Performing Arts.{{cite web |last1=Peterson |first1=Tyler |title=San Diego Musical Theatre to Present Ain't Misbehavin', Begin. 9/27 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-diego/article/San-Diego-Musical-Theatre-to-Present-AINT-MISBEHAVIN-Begin-927-20130712 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=23 June 2021 |language=en}} Kellum directed the production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2017 at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL. His production ran from April 19, 2017 - May 28, 2017. Kellum's production featured an all-Black cast, which is a rarity.{{cite web |title=Jesus Christ Superstar {{!}} Apr 19, 2017 – May 28, 2017 |url=https://paramountaurora.com/events/jesus-christ-superstar/ |website=Paramount Theatre |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=2016-03-28}}{{cite web |title=Jesus Christ Superstar – Simply Heavenly – Times Square Chronicles |date=15 May 2017 |url=https://t2conline.com/jesus-christ-superstar-simply-heavenly// |access-date=21 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Jesus Christ Superstar |url=https://www.hofmannlightingdesign.com/jesus-christ-superstar |website=Hofmann Design |access-date=21 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Kelly |title=What It Means to Have an All-Black Jesus Christ Superstar |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/what-it-means-to-have-an-all-black-jesus-christ-superstar |website=Playbill |access-date=21 June 2021 |language=en |date=7 April 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Hedy |title=At Paramount, a fiery, soul-stirring 'Jesus Christ Superstar' |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/4/23/18386174/at-paramount-a-fiery-soul-stirring-jesus-christ-superstar |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=21 June 2021 |language=en |date=2017-04-23}}

Kellum has been the co-producer and co-director for the NFL Pro Bowl Half-time Show in Hawaii and Orlando and the co-executive director for the NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders from 2000 through 2020. Kellum has co-produced the NFL United Way Thanksgiving Day Half-Time Show as well.{{cite web |last1=Forman |first1=Ross |title=Ron Kellum leads Cirque du Soleil behind the scenes |url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/104865696 |website=ChicagoPride.com |access-date=23 June 2021 |language=EN}}{{cite web |title=Dancing Queens: Celtics Dancers Auditions - Boston.com |url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/gallery/060907_celtics_dance_tryouts?pg=2 |website=archive.boston.com |access-date=6 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Volta: Interview With Director and Producer Ron Kellum |url=https://www.chicagonow.com/lets-play/2019/05/interview-with-director-and-producer-ron-kellum/ |access-date=6 July 2021}} In 2012, Kellum co-directed and choreographed the production of The Color Purple at the Red Mountain Theatre Co., in Birmingham, Al.{{cite web |title='Color Purple' a special, spectacular production at Birmingham's Red Mountain Theatre Company |url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2012/10/color_purple_a_special_spectac.html |website=al |access-date=23 June 2021 |language=en |date=2012-10-01}}

As a choreographer, Kellum choreographed the stage productions of Ain't Misbehavin in 2004, Five Guys Named Moe in 2008, starring Leslie Odom Jr. in 2010, and The Wedding Singer in 2013 at the Red Mountain Theatre Company in Birmingham, AL.{{cite web |title=Music Director {{!}} Tom Vendafreddo |url=http://tomvendafreddo.com/music-director/ |access-date=23 June 2021}}

In 2010, Kellum was the choreographer for the motion picture, Iron Man 2 starring Robert Downey Jr.. He choreographed the scene with the Ironette Dancers.{{cite web |title=Ron Kellum |url=http://www.buzznews.net/theatre/theatre-reviews/itemlist/tag/Ron%20Kellum.html |website=www.buzznews.net |access-date=21 June 2021}}

In 2015, Kellum became the first African American artistic director for Cirque du Soleil, with the productions of Koozå, from 2015 through 2016 and Volta, from 2018 through 2020. The production of Volta ended due to Covid-19, causing cancellations throughout the country.{{cite web |last1=Verini |first1=Bob |title=Cirque du Soleil's 'Volta' to Give L.A.'s FYC Season a Thrilling Jolt |url=https://variety.com/2019/scene/news/cirque-du-soleil-volta-1203439752/ |website=Variety |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=2019-12-17}}{{cite web |last1=Forman |first1=Ross |title=Ron Kellum leads Cirque du Soleil behind the scenes |url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/104865696 |website=ChicagoPride.com |access-date=21 June 2021 |language=EN}}{{cite web |title=Director cycles back for another Cirque show with 'Volta' |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/08/director-cycles-back-for-another-cirque-show-with-volta/ |website=The Mercury News |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=2019-02-08}}{{cite web |last1=December 19 |first1=Jim Farmer Culture |title=Under the Big Top with Director Ron Kellum |url=https://thegavoice.com/culture/under-the-big-top-with-director-ron-kellum/ |website=Georgia Voice - Gay & LGBT Atlanta News |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=2019-12-19}}{{cite news |title=The Scene: Cirque du Soleil's opening reception for Volta |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/07/28/scene-cirque-du-soleils-opening-reception-volta/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=21 June 2021}}

In 2010, Kellum appeared on season 17 of the television reality show The Amazing Race with his best friend Tony Stovall. Despite securing tickets on the first flight to London, they were the first team eliminated from the competition after becoming lost trying to find Stonehenge.{{cite web |title=Amazing Race's Ron and Tony: Getting Lost "Felt Like a Nightmare That Wouldn't End" |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/amazing-race-ron-tony-1023693/ |website=TVGuide.com |access-date=10 August 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |author=BWW News Desk |title=Broadway's Ron Kellum Slated for CBS' 'The Amazing Race' |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadways-Ron-Kellum-Slated-for-CBS-The-Amazing-Race-20100901 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=10 August 2021 |language=en}}

Kellum resides in Los Angeles.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.ronkellum.com/ Website]
• [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2066861/bio IMDB Bio]

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Category:1965 births

Category:Living people

Category:Film directors from Texas

Category:American male musical theatre actors

Category:American male stage actors

Category:African-American choreographers

Category:American choreographers

Category:Participants in American reality television series