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About Little Miss Rachel Marie

All the way back in May of 2001, a baby girl named after the Cabbage Patch Kid hit, "Get Back Home" was born in Omaha, NE. That's me, Ramie or Rachel. Like most theatre artists, I began my journey in the arts freshman year of high school, after playing an ancestor in The Addams Family. Don't let this timeline fool you, I was always performing throughout childhood - especially when I made my family watch my rendition of "Hex Girl" from the all-American cinematic classic, Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire. 

 

I went on to pursue this passion in college and received my B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with a minor in Business Studies from Drake University in 2023. In addition to studying in Des Moines, IA, I also spent the Fall of 2022 training at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT.  

 

Getting a taste of out East was everything this midwest girl needed, leading me to my current role as Program Representative & Admissions Manager for the O'Neill's educational training programs: the National Theater Institute, National Music Theater Institute, and Theatermakers Summer Intensive. In this position, I have the opportunity of introducing innovative artists to the Launchpad of American Theater by traveling to institutions, conferences, and festivals across the country to lead workshops in a variety of artistic disciplines.

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When not teaching or performing, I enjoy spending my free time connecting with family/friends, playing with my pup Ollie, pumping iron at the local Planet Fitness, making coffee runs with my partner, working on home improvement projects, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies no matter the season. 

Rachel Kelsey with Partner
Rachel Kelsey with Family

“To create art in which brings light to a lack of empathy, feeling, and compassion for others that we face in civilization today and in turn bridge societal divide.”

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“My work, lifestyle, and perception of the world will be guided and informed by my beliefs and commitments to:

  • Accountability – upholding obligations and accepting responsibility for one’s actions.

  • Collaboration – working with others by sharing thoughts, ideas, knowledge, etc. to produce and create something.

  • Creativity – utilizing the imagination to form organic/authentic thoughts and ideas.

  • Empathy – being aware of, sensitive to, and understanding of the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others.

  • Excellence – striving for quality/distinction through continuous self improvement.

  • Inclusivity – respecting everyone no matter their walk of life and valuing what diversifies us for one another.

  • Vulnerability – allowing oneself to being unguarded, take risks, and expose emotion.”

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"To mold young minds by extending my knowledge/experience of the craft onto others and provide educational theatre opportunities to those who have had limited access, in an environment based on acceptance and inclusivity.”

 

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"I understand and acknowledge that I teach through the lens of my own background, culture, and experience. It is neither my goal nor my desire to foist my lens upon students, but to facilitate an understanding and skill set when approaching these works that enhances and celebrates their own culture and identity of self. I will work hard to expand out of my lens and to hold space for personal and artistic growth."

Mission.

Values.

Vision.

Identity.

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