Deborah Bostock-Kelley - Page 2

Deborah Bostock-Kelley

A twice-published author, multi-time award-winning playwright, magazine writer, theatre reviewer, and newspaper journalist with 30+ years in journalism and business copywriting, Deb is not one to shy away from controversial storylines. She was a 2022 Recipient of the Gobioff Foundation Grant, a 2019 Recipient of the inaugural Tampa Bay Theatre Festival Denise Deneen award for her work in theatre, and a 2017 Recipient of Theatre Tampa Bay's Jeff Norton Dream Grant. With the grants, she produced and directed her original production, "Breast Advice," in the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival; she produced and directed (with another educator) their school shooting play, "A Necessary Conversation," at Straz's TECO Theatre with a talkback with leaders in the community with ticket sales donated to Moms Demand Action, Tampa. A Necessary Conversation won Broadway World Tampa's 2018 BEST ACTOR and BEST ACTRESS Awards. In 2020, the play was nominated for BEST ORIGINAL SCRIPT OF THE DECADE. An expanded version of this bullying, mental health, and gun violence drama was showcased during the 2021 Voices of Truth Theatre Festival at Powerstories Theatre, winning CRITIC'S CHOICE and Regional Broadway World's 2022 BEST PERFORMER and BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A STREAMING PLAY.

In the summer of 2019, she reached out to social media for true stories about breasts, from shape and appreciation to size and cancer. In December, she wrote "Breast Advice," a show that workshopped to a standing-room-only audience in Powerstories Theatre and was called "The Vagina Monologues for boobs." A portion of ticket sales was donated to The Affirmations Project, which works with survivors of breast cancer and domestic abuse. The production was accepted into the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival in September 2022 and won Regional Broadway World's 2022 Runner-Up for BEST NEW PLAY OR MUSICAL.

In May 2023, a series of her plays debuted in her sold-out, standing-room-only playwright showcase weekend at Safety Harbor Art and Music Center called Tapestry: A Weekend of Socially-Conscious Storytelling. This featured "Breast Advice" and a full-length new version of her school shooting survivor's play "#NotOneMore." It was a finalist for Creative Loafing's BEST PLAYWRIGHT and a multi-nominee for Broadway World Awards: BEST ENSEMBLE: Breast Advice and #NotOneMore, BEST NEW PLAY OR MUSICAL: # NotOneMore, BEST PLAY: Breast Advice, # NotOneMore, BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY: Me, # NotOneMore, BEST PERFORMER IN A PLAY: #NotOneMore, BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A PLAY: #NotOneMore.

In September 2023, her one-act LoveYouMore, about the bullying of a transgender girl, was accepted and performed at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival.

In 2024, #NotOneMore was accepted and will be part of the June 2024 Tampa International Fringe Festival.
www.thewriteonecreativeservices.com/original-plays

Relying solely on word-of-mouth client testimonials, since 2005, Deb has successfully operated the WriteOne Creative Services, a PR, copywriting, graphic, and web design business that offers a larger agency's talent and design/print capabilities without the overhead expense.

Life Amplified, a variety showcase for grassroots charities and the philanthropic side of Deb's writing and design company, celebrates its 10th year in 2024. Deb and Life Amplified have been honored by Bay News 9 Everyday Hero in February 2016 and Fox13 Hometown Heroes in May 2014. With 100% venue donation and talented volunteer performers, Life Amplified has helped fundraise and raise awareness about human trafficking, PSTD, military sexual trauma, bullying, sexual violence prevention, and LGBTQ issues. It has been on hiatus since the pandemic, but is back on September  28, 2024, with an affirming musical spectacular prom aptly called Life Amplified SPECTACULAR at Carrollwood Cultural Center's The Studio, benefitting PFLAG Safety Harbor. www.lifeamplifiedshowcase.com

Like so many she knows, she is an invisible illness warrior. Deb lives her busy life to show others that you can thrive and not have to be your diagnosis.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Deborah Bostock-Kelley

First Show:

Our Town

Favorite Show:

Come From Away

Favorite Stories:



New Tampa Players Casting Tap Dancers and Singers for SINGIN IN THE RAIN
New Tampa Players Casting Tap Dancers and Singers for SINGIN IN THE RAIN
January 29, 2024

Do you love tap dancing and/or singing? Audition for New Tampa Players Singin in the Rain! NTP Singin in the Rain is a spectacular production this summer celebrating the golden age of Hollywood featuring dazzling choreography, catchy songs, and a splash of romance. Dance auditions are April 27th, vocal auditions are Monday, April 29th. Register at bit.ly/NTPrain.

Previews: WILLY WONKA JR at Ovations Repertory Theatre
Previews: WILLY WONKA JR at Ovations Repertory Theatre
January 23, 2024

The show is directed by Orlando Pena, the artistic director of Ovations Dance Academy, who has over 30 years of experience in the dance industry. Pena says that he chose this musical because he loves the story, the characters, and the message of the show.

Previews: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE By MAD Theatre At Straz Center
Previews: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE By MAD Theatre At Straz Center
January 22, 2024

The show features a fast-paced, witty, and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, who also wrote the music for Falsettos and A New Brain. The Tony-award-winning show is under Music Direction of Megan Zeitler, Choreography by Evan Lomba with Artistic Director, Tony Gilkinson, and directed by Casey Vaughan.

Previews: SHE KILLS MONSTERS at ThinkTank Theatre
Previews: SHE KILLS MONSTERS at ThinkTank Theatre
January 11, 2024

Set in 1995 with music and references to the 1990s aplenty, the play is about Agnes Evens grieving the unexpected loss of her sister, Tilly. Though the siblings weren't especially close, a notebook containing a D&D game scenario her sister created helps Agnes discover things about Tilly that she never knew.

Previews: ARTS LEGACY REMIX PROJECT LET FREEDOM RING at Straz Center
Previews: ARTS LEGACY REMIX PROJECT LET FREEDOM RING at Straz Center
January 10, 2024

Performing at the first ARTS LEGACY REMIX PROJECT: Let Freedom Ring in 2024 are the choir Voices of Unity, singers from Walton Academy, spoken word artist 13th Disciple, Star Divas Step Team, and musicians Juice.

Previews: DR DAVID AND FRIENDS perform benefit concert for the New Tampa Players' Penguin Project and Ampersand Theatre
Previews: DR DAVID AND FRIENDS perform benefit concert for the New Tampa Players' Penguin Project and Ampersand Theatre
December 1, 2023

The collaboration between Dr. David and the Penguin Project/Ampersand Theatre for this benefit concert has a heartfelt origin. The doctor's daughter, Naomi, has been a peer mentor for the Penguin Project since its inception in 2018.

Previews: THE NUTCRACKER SUITE at Ovations Dance Repertory
Previews: THE NUTCRACKER SUITE at Ovations Dance Repertory
November 29, 2023

Audiences can expect a visually stunning and joyous experience. In terms of the show's message, Orlando Pena kept it simple and profound: 'Back to basics - turn off your phone and enjoy a classic ballet.'

Previews: FUNNY GIRL at Straz Center
Previews: FUNNY GIRL at Straz Center
November 27, 2023

Funny Girl follows the life of Fanny Brice, a talented and ambitious young woman from New York's Lower East Side who dreams of making a name for herself in show business. The narrative takes the audience through the highs and lows of Fanny's career, highlighting her comedic prowess and undeniable charm. At its core, the musical explores love, resilience, and pursuing one's dreams.

Previews: ACTS OF FAITH at American Stage
Previews: ACTS OF FAITH at American Stage
November 21, 2023

Marking its debut in Florida, Acts of Faith is a rare gem, performed only one other time in the United States. The production also marks the directorial debut of Patrick Arthur Jackson, adding an extra layer of anticipation to this unique theatrical experience. At the heart of the performance is the talent of Boston-based actress Victoria Omoregie, who steps into the lead role, bringing Faith's character to life with depth and authenticity.

Previews: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY at FreeFall Theatre
Previews: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY at FreeFall Theatre
November 21, 2023

Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play is a captivating journey back in time, immersing the audience in the ambiance of a bygone era. The production ingeniously unfolds as a live radio broadcast, with a skilled ensemble and a meticulous foley artist weaving each sound effect into the intricate auditory tapestry.

Previews: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO PLAY at Straz' Patel Conservatory
Previews: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO PLAY at Straz' Patel Conservatory
November 21, 2023

It's a Wonderful Life radio play, based on the beloved 1946 film directed by Frank Capra, follows the life of George Bailey, a small-town man who, amid personal crisis, learns the profound impact he has had on those around him. The timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the interconnectedness of humanity resonate just as strongly today as they did when the story first graced the silver screen.

Previews: ARTS LEGACY REMIX Celebrates India at Straz Center
Previews: ARTS LEGACY REMIX Celebrates India at Straz Center
November 15, 2023

On Friday, November 17, The Straz Arts Legacy REMIX Project will showcase the beautiful pageantry of India's Diwali celebration at the Straz Riverwalk. Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights, particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the fiscal year in northern India. The event will honor the cultural diversity of India.

Previews: Powerstories Theatre's ALABAMA STORY at Straz Shimberg Playhouse
Previews: Powerstories Theatre's ALABAMA STORY at Straz Shimberg Playhouse
November 14, 2023

In a Season themed, 'Critical Issues Take Center Stage,' ALABAMA STORY revolves around the powerful and controversial topic of book banning. This subject resonates deeply with the current societal discourse on freedom of expression and the role of literature in people's lives. The play promises to engage, challenge, and inspire audiences as it delves into the story of a fearless librarian at the heart of a controversy surrounding a children's book.

Previews: THINKTANK THEATRE'S ENOUGH: Plays to End Gun Violence at Stageworks Theatre
Previews: THINKTANK THEATRE'S ENOUGH: Plays to End Gun Violence at Stageworks Theatre
November 6, 2023

ENOUGH is a nationwide youth-led movement featuring six short plays written by talented teenagers between 13 and 19. These poignant, thought-provoking, and even humorous scripts offer a platform for the younger generation to express their concerns about gun violence in schools and communities. These teens tackle this pressing issue head-on through original ten-minute plays, providing unique insights, emotional depth, and a powerful call to action.

Review: Spooktacular production of BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL at Straz Center
Review: Spooktacular production of BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL at Straz Center
October 25, 2023

BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL is a show that revels in its own weirdness and invites the audience to do the same. The musical is a rollercoaster of laughs, gasps, and heartwarming moments. Capturing the spirit of the original film while carving out its unique identity as a musical, the show's mischievous and cheeky nature keeps the audience engaged from start to finish, and you'll leave the theater with a smile on your face and images like an unwanted Beetlejuice lap dance and the earworm 'Day O!” stuck in your head.

Previews: New Tampa Players' SHREK THE MUSICAL at New Tampa Performing Arts Center
Previews: New Tampa Players' SHREK THE MUSICAL at New Tampa Performing Arts Center
October 18, 2023

During the run of New Tampa Player's production of SHREK THE MUSICAL, be prepared to be transported to a world where fairy tales come to life and dreams can come true.

Powerstories Theatre Announces 24th Season of Shows in 2024
Powerstories Theatre Announces 24th Season of Shows in 2024
October 12, 2023

Powerstories Theatre's 24th season, focusing on the theme, 'Critical Social Issues Take Center Stage.' This season promises a thought-provoking lineup of plays that delve into pressing topics like book banning, anti-Semitism, and suicide awareness.

Review: THE CHOIR OF MAN at Straz Center's Jaeb Theatre
Review: THE CHOIR OF MAN at Straz Center's Jaeb Theatre
October 8, 2023

The story, created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, lets us in on The Jungle's long history of having a choir. In the shortest 90 minutes ever, we're laughing and crying, enchanted by stories, clapping along, tapping our feet, singing familiar tunes, and even catching bags of 'crisps' they toss into the crowd.Center's Jaeb Theatre?

Previews: GHOST STORIES FROM YELLOWSTONE at The Off-Central Players
Previews: GHOST STORIES FROM YELLOWSTONE at The Off-Central Players
October 6, 2023

Written and directed by William Leavengood, the play centers around Malcolm (Mal) Lindelie, the patriarch of a family grappling with the consequences of their poor decisions, a situation that threatens to tear them apart.

Previews: ARTS LEGACY REMIX, THIRD ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL at Straz Center
Previews: ARTS LEGACY REMIX, THIRD ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL at Straz Center
October 4, 2023

Among the featured performers are Irene Rodriguez, founder of the Tampa Flamenca dance group, Guillermo Lopez, a Lyric tenor with Opera Tampa, and the band Innovation, led by Osmel Rencio, with guest performer Yuniscleyvis 'Yuni' Ramos. The lineup also features Sunstate Orchestra and artists Belicia Adams, Brittany Ruiz, and Maria Ortiz.



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