BWW TV Exclusive: Konversations with Keeme: A Chat with Claire Kelly

Fourteen year old Ajibola Tajudeen, better known as Keeme, is the host of New Paradigm Theatre's web series now in it's third season here on BroadwayWorld. "Konversations with Keeme" is show where Keeme interviews seasoned television and film professionals like Tamara Tunie of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and Renee Lawless of Tyler Perry's The Have and the Have Nots, as well as Broadway veterans such as Emmy and Grammy winner, Paul Bogaev, and Broadway pros Christine Dwyer, Kelly Grant, Juwan Crawley and more.

The series follows Keeme's interviews as he receives advice on "the business", performing, and leadership from the pros in the performing arts industry. These interviews are directed and edited by 16 year old Jaden Bonfietti and are released weekly on BroadwayWorld.

New Paradigm Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre fostering creative problem solvers, leaders, and global citizens through theatre arts education and productions. This series is one of the ways that NPT features their outstanding Youth Board of directors (all the production and on-camera work is facilitated by our Youth with some guidance from our Pros). Artistic Director and Broadway veteran, Kristin Huffman says, "New Paradigm is a theatre with a social conscience. We produce events and shows that not only entertain with Broadway pros, but that also connect directly to our community and teach youth leadership.

This third seasons leads right up to NPT and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra's co-production of West Side Story! This season focuses on Norwalk and the pros and partners involved in this glorious production with full orchestra.

Claire Shannon Kelly (Artistic Director of Shakespeare on the Sound and director of the February production of West Side Story with New Paradigm Theatre and Norwalk Symphony) From 2011-2015 Claire worked at Shakespeare on the Sound as Artistic Associate and Director of Education. For Shakespeare on the Sound's mainstage she has directed Hamlet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which won the BroadwayWorld CT award for Best Ensemble Cast in a play, and As You Like It. Educationally, Claire just finished directing a 5 person A Midsummer Night's Dream. She co-created and directed Shakespeare on the Sound's K-5 touring production Let's Play Shakespeare!, directed their anti- bullying program Speaking Daggers, and devised and directed a children's version of All's Well That Ends Well. Currently she is in development of two new plays: The Family and Wordsmith. She has worked at the Guthrie Theater, the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, the Ordway Music Theater, and the George Street Playhouse among others. She will be traveling to Africa in August 2019 where she will teach and direct in Livingstone, Zambia. Claire has holds a Masters of Arts degree from New York University in Educational Theater.