Ron Kellum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron Kellum
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Ron Kellum at the BAFTAs February 2020
Photo by Gracie Valdez |
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Ronald Kellum
February 1, 1965 Amarillo, TX
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| Occupation | Producer Director Artist Choreographer |
| Years active | 1991–present |
Ron Kellum was born on February 1, 1965. He is an American producer, director, artist, and choreographer. Ron is famous for working on Broadway shows. He was also the first African-American artistic director for the amazing Cirque du Soleil. He led the shows Koozå (2015-2016) and Volta (2018-2020) for Cirque du Soleil.
In 2010, Ron Kellum was a contestant on the TV show The Amazing Race. This was during its seventeenth season on CBS.
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Ron Kellum's Early Life
Ron Kellum was born Ronald Dexter Kellum on February 1, 1965. His birthplace was Amarillo, Texas. His parents, Willie and Mary Kellum, owned businesses. Ron grew up in Denver, Colorado. He started his theater career there when he was just 12 years old. His parents taught him about spirituality in their church. Ron graduated from Manual High School in 1983.
Ron Kellum's Career in Theater
Ron Kellum began his career by acting in musicals. He performed both on and off Broadway. In 1994, he was part of the new cast for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway. This show was performed at The Minskoff Theatre.
Later, in 1998, Ron joined the Broadway show Chicago. He also appeared in Fame (1994) and Beauty and The Beast. The Beauty and the Beast show was at the Shubert Theater in Los Angeles in 1996. From 1998 to 2000, Ron played Sergeant Fogarty and The Doctor in the first national tour of Chicago. He also performed in Smokey Joe's Cafe, Hello, Dolly!, and The Wiz (2006). In 2004, he was in a production of Dreamgirls.
Directing and Choreographing Shows
Ron Kellum started producing, directing, and choreographing plays in 2005. His first directing job was for "Once on This Island" in Fullerton, CA. In 2008, he directed and choreographed Dreamgirls for the San Diego Musical Theatre. This production won "Outstanding Resident Musical" at the Craig Noel Awards.
That same year, Ron directed and choreographed Five Guys Named Moe. This show starred Leslie Odom Jr., who has won Tony and Grammy awards. Ron directed "Five Guys Named Moe" again in 2011 in Birmingham, AL.
He directed the musical Rent in 2010 at Lewis Family Playhouse in Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He directed it again in 2012 in San Diego. Ron also directed Chicago in 2012 at Oklahoma University and the San Diego Music Theater. He directed Chicago at the Sacramento Music Circus in 2013.
In 2013, Ron directed The Wedding Singer in Birmingham, AL. He also directed A Chorus Line in San Diego and Rancho Cucamonga that year. In 2017, Ron directed Jesus Christ Superstar at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL. This show ran from April 19 to May 28, 2017. His production was special because it had an all-Black cast, which was very rare.
Working with the NFL
Ron Kellum has also worked with the NFL Pro Bowl Half-time Show. He was a co-producer and co-director for these shows in Hawaii and Orlando. He also co-executive directed the NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders from 2000 to 2020. Ron helped produce the NFL United Way Thanksgiving Day Half-Time Show too. In 2012, he co-directed and choreographed The Color Purple in Birmingham, Al.
Ron Kellum as a Choreographer
As a choreographer, Ron Kellum created dances for many stage shows. These include Ain't Misbehavin in 2004. He also choreographed Five Guys Named Moe in 2008 and 2010, starring Leslie Odom Jr.. In 2013, he choreographed The Wedding Singer in Birmingham, AL.
In 2010, Ron Kellum was the choreographer for the movie Iron Man 2. This film starred Robert Downey Jr.. Ron choreographed the scene with the Ironette Dancers.
Ron Kellum and Cirque du Soleil
In 2015, Ron Kellum made history. He became the first African American artistic director for Cirque du Soleil. He worked on two of their amazing shows. He was the artistic director for Koozå from 2015 to 2016. Then, he directed Volta from 2018 to 2020. The Volta show had to stop early because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many shows across the country were canceled at that time.
Ron Kellum on The Amazing Race
In 2010, Ron Kellum appeared on The Amazing Race. This was the 17th season of the TV reality show. He competed with his best friend, Tony Stovall. They got tickets on the first flight to London. However, they got lost trying to find Stonehenge. Because of this, they were the first team to be eliminated from the competition.
Ron Kellum's Personal Life
Ron Kellum currently lives in Los Angeles.
