Kelli James has a career that spans over 47 years and includes leading roles on Broadway, National Tours and on international stages.
On Broadway, Kelli was in the Tony Award winning original company of Les Misérables, later taking over the role of Eponine as the first North American actor to play the role.
Kelli has been seen around the country in several award winning productions including the LA revival of Hair and the San Francisco production of The Rocky Horror Show as Columbia.
Playing the role of Peron’s Mistress, Kelli was featured in the LA production and First National tour of Evita, directed by Hal Prince. She was also in the Toronto companies of Aspects of Love as Giulietta Trapani and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as The Narrator starring opposite Donny Osmond.
Other notable productions include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hand-picked cast for his premiere concert tour The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Chess In Concert in Toronto, The Tribute To Hal Prince in Munich, Germany and The Night of 1000 Voices at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Arizona audiences have seen her in Gypsy as Mama Rose, Beauty And The Beast as Mrs. Potts, Cinderella as The Fairy Godmother and Follies as Carlotta Champion. She won an Arizoni Award for her direction and been nominated for 3 Arizoni Awards as a performer.
She has been coaching and teaching musical theater performance for over 20 years at her studio called The Broadway Advantage Performing Arts Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona
What People Say
“With Kelli’s expert guidance and instruction my son Jake has been able to break into the local theatrical scene with ease. He is enjoying a wonderful youth theater career at both professional and youth theater levels”.
GENE GARVEY
“Kelli James truly gives each student the Broadway Advantage to performing. Her skills to mentor young artists are exceptional. “
CONNIE GIORDANO
“A complete professional – multi-talented and insightful about how to help others achieve their best. “
JAYNE HAMIL