Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Marie Kelly.
Veronica Marie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I spent my entire life performing for an audience. I was surrounded by music, singing, performing, laughter and love since birth. My Grandma, mother and aunts were active members of the Long Island Community Theater scene. As a baby, my mom brought me into the city for commercials and such, I would sing “My Heart Will Go On” at the top of my lungs in front of the television after Titanic was over. At 6 years old, I auditioned for my first musical, Annie. I sang “You Are My Sunshine,” my Grandma’s favorite lullaby, for the audition and landed the feisty and adorable part of Molly. It was a dream come true. My 3 cousins, Aunt and Grandma were in the production with me as well. Since then, I performed in at least 3 shows a year at different community theaters on Long Island until I was 18 years old. I was accepted into the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. I attended Atlantic Acting School and New Studio on Broadway while I was there. At school, I had the opportunity to perform and portray iconic characters. I graduated with my BFA in Drama in May 2017 and have been auditioning ever since. I booked a short national tour of the children’s show Miss Nelson is Missing and co-wrote a play, Pizza and Whine, with my Aunt, Maria Capp and cousin, Raffaela Capp. We performed the show in NYC in the Winterfest Theater Festival and will be performing it again at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Choosing a career in the arts is never a smooth road, but in the end is absolutely worth it. When I have the opportunity to perform and especially get paid for it, I am the happiest I can be. But getting to that point is not easy. Consistency is difficult to come by in this business. The fact that there is no guarantee is what scares me the most. I have a boyfriend that I am madly in love with, that I want to marry and have children with one day, but where I might end up, what job I will have, is uncertain right now and it is difficult to plan for the future. Being an actor is filled with putting your heart out on the line and most of the time getting rejected. So now, I look at every chance I audition for something as my opportunity to perform and revel in the love I feel for it. It is what keeps me going. Every day is a struggle to fight for yourself and believe you’re worthy of getting the job, but it is essential. I try to stay as positive as I can and go to as many auditions I think I am right for. The more people I get in front of, the better, no matter what the outcome, because anything is possible for the future. In the meantime, I work a 9-5 office job on the days I’m not auditioning, babysit and surround myself with the people I love the most.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a professional actor wanting to work in television and theater. I want happiness, success, different genres/experiences and longevity in my career. In the future, I would love to create an acting coach business. I could potentially coach teenagers wanting to go to college, or be a set coach.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I loved being constantly busy and that usually meant always being on the stage. That is where I felt most free, comfortable, and myself. I was able to express and experience emotions that I might not have normally gone through in everyday life. I got to experience the French Revolution as Eponine in Les Mis, be a strong-willed, southern belle as Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5, and fight for my dreams as Jo March in Little Women. Off the stage, I took dance lessons, voice lessons, piano lessons, was always my family and eventually always with my boyfriend. He also performed in local community theater shows with me. We met in 7th grade and have been together ever since. I would say I am and always have been a very focused and driven person. When I am given a task or job, I work hard at it and need to do the best I can. I’m a perfectionist and do not like to disappoint. I’m very loving, generous, and I care a lot about doing the right thing for my family and everyone around me. Depending on the situation I am in, I can be really goofy and laugh until I can’t breathe, and other times I am quiet and keep to myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: veronicamariekelly.com
- Email: veronicakelly47@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Michael Dambrosia, Pizza and Whine, McLaren Ray, “I Love Me” Music Video, Dragon Slayer the Musical, Miss Nelson is Missing
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