Artist Conversations with FRONT Fellow at Cleveland Public Library: Reggie Kelly

Artist Conversations with FRONT Fellow at Cleveland Public Library: Reggie Kelly

Watch FRONT Fellow at the Cleveland Public Library, Ron'Dale Simpson's conversation with Cleveland artist Reggie Kelly.

REGGIE KELLY is a multi-award-winning singer-actor, dancer-choreographer and playwright with over 40 years of professional experience in the United States and abroad. Reggie Kelly has been Resident Director/Choreographer for the Black Theater Troop in Phoenix, Arizona; the West Coast Black Theater in Sarasota, Florida; the Paul Robeson Theater in Buffalo, New York; Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana; Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio; Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida and Howard University in Washington, DC.

RON'DALE SIMPSON, FRONT Fellow at Cleveland Public Library:
A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Ron’Dale Simpson discovered his passion for dance at an early age. He danced in youth dance groups and competed in local talent shows. Ron’Dale attended The Central State University, where he participated in several extracurricular activities and clubs. He was a member of the university marching band, wherein his last year the Drum major. Ron’Dale is a member of Mu Phi Epsilon international professional music fraternity inc. And also, the former national president of Nu Rho Sigma Fine Arts fraternity inc. He enjoys a career as a performer and educator in hip hop, afro-fusion, modern, and other dance styles. He is the Founder and artistic director of Blakk Jakk Dance Collective. BJDC was created to allow dancers of color the opportunity to improve their skills, perform and build a network of emerging and professional dancers, as well as create works of artistic excellence and broaden the appreciation of dance in our community. He has done projects with the Karamu house theater, Rainey Institute, Cleveland’s Playhouse, CMSD schools, and freelance work in the community. One of Ron’Dale’s life goals is owning and operating a performing arts school and company geared towards community youth and local artists.

Video production by Rafeeq Roberts at Third Eye Productions.