About Us |
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Kelly WalshArtistic Director Kelly began her love of performing arts as a young child when she played Rebecca in a local production of “Our Town”. She then went on to receive a BFA in directing from Salem State College and The University of West London. After graduation, Kelly moved to New York and took a job at the critically acclaimed Vineyard Theatre. There she learned the ins and outs of a professional theatre while working alongside master actors and directors. During this time, Kelly was selected to take part in the "Up and Coming Women Directors" program at The Looking Glass Theatre. She worked with NY based playwrights developing new works for the stage that had strong female characters and storylines. She also co-ran their Directing and Playwriting Forum, a highly successful launching pad for artists developing new plays. Locally, Kelly has worked at The North Shore Music Theatre, The Greater Boston Stage Company, the Concord Youth Theatre, and the Andover School of Montessori. She co-founded The Fairy Tale Players; a non-profit organization dedicated to creating educational theatre for young audiences. For five years she served as the Education Director at Creative Arts, where she directed over thirty children's productions and was featured twice in Boston Parent’s “Best of the Best” issue for her theatre classes. Her programs at NESPA have won the Hulafrog's "Most Loved" award in 2019, 2021 and 2022 and the BONS (Best of Northshore) in 2024. Kelly is the Drama Director at North Andover High School, where she also serves as their co-advisor and President of the North Andover Theatre Supporters. Outside of the arts, Kelly devotes her time to her online support group Heart Matters, which serves to support families with children born with Congenital Heart Defects. Kelly has also spent many years as a Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that is near and dear to her heart.
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Stacy Whalen-KelleyManaging DirectorStacy has a BFA in Theater Performance from Salem State University, and an AA in Music/Theater/Dance from Dean College, where she received the distinguished Trustees Prize in Theater. After college, she pursued Arts Administration with studies at Boston University, and working at North Shore Music Theater, followed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where she oversaw operations for the Fidelity Young Artist Competition, an opportunity for high school acts or soloists to perform onstage with the Boston Pops, and be mentored by the best artists and teachers Boston has to offer. Stacy took a short hiatus from the arts to sharpen her communications skills as Director of Communications and Engagement at CMC, a franchisee of Dunkin' Donuts, with 5000+ employees and over 300 locations. During her time at CMC, she created a strong community relations program, in partnership with local non-profit organizations for underserved children and families. With her arts background, her commitment to help foster stronger communities, and her diverse skills include in-depth knowledge and experience in acting, directing, music, sound, costuming, corporate sponsorships, communications, marketing and public relations, Stacy is proud to teach theater to our communities' youngest audiences. |
Our Mission |
The mission of The New England School of Performing Arts is to inspire those we serve through the arts to realize their full potential and be a positive influence in their community. NESPA believes that the arts have the power to transform people’s lives — to open them to the greatness that lies within them and in others.
We strive to develop and deliver the highest standard of performing arts education, which provides young people with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in future endeavors. We believe a performing arts education will instill confidence, creativity, communication skills, collaboration skills, citizenship and character. |
Our Philosophy
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