This week I want to celebrate the blessing of my first born son, Patrick Michael Kelly! He made his life debut 33 years ago this past Wednesday on June 8, 1983! He has brought me years of continuous joy and happiness. I am very proud of all his accomplishments and especially his passion for theatre.

Patrick was bitten by the acting bug in Middle School at Heathwood Hall and has pursued his passion ever since. He has acted, directed, served as stage manager, appeared in several movies, and now he will be returning back to Columbia from New York with his wife of two years, Martha Hearn, who has a passion for theatre as well. Martha and Patrick received their undergraduate degrees in Theatre from the University of South Carolina and both went on to get their Master’s degrees in New York. Martha will be involved in the theatre here, and both will be teaching the art of theatre to others.

Columbia is a great central location to obtain theatrical roles all over the Southeast, which has become a hotbed for producing movies and TV shows. Patrick will be starring in the upcoming Playwrights’ Festival at Trustus Theatre in the play Anatomy of a Hug. It will be on the Thigpen mainstage from August 19 – August 27, 2016. Please be sure to catch Patrick on his return to Columbia.