JULY 11 • 2024 | 63

if something doesn’t happen 
somebody’s life is ruined. It’s 
super fun to imagine yourself 
in the world of this produc-
tion, and I enjoy having fun 
with it.”
Kellman, 21, has appeared 
in lots of education-spon-
sored productions since 
starting out as a student at 
Clifford H. Smart Middle 
School in Commerce 
Township, where he audi-
tioned for a stage production 
simply to be with friends. 
Initially, he had planned to 
pursue a career in engineer-
ing, but the stage eventually 
won his main attention.
The actor pursued taking 
part in other stage shows 
while attending Walled 
Lake Northern High School, 
explaining he felt more 
comfortable speaking in front 
of a large group of people 
than he did speaking with a 
minimal number of people. 
He finds making presentations 
on stage a very freeing 

experience.
Kellman has joined cast 
members in Head Over Heels, 
Pippin, On the Town and The 
SpongeBob Musical. This fall 
in college, he will be playing 
Callahan in Legally Blonde.
Singing lessons started in 
high school, and dance lessons 
began in college.
“In the current show, I sing 
the ensemble vocals in a num-
ber of songs, and my favorite 
is ‘The Oldest Established,’” 
Kellman said. “I just love bar-
bershop-style harmonies and 
chords that we get to sing for 
certain parts of it, and the end 
gives me Book of Mormon vibes, 
which represent a newer show. 

“I enjoy my understudy 
tracks and the ensemble 
parts for ‘Luck Be a Lady.’ I 
like to act while I’m singing. 
It’s super fun to do.”
For the summer, Kellman 
is working in the Costco 
food court near his fam-
ily home in Commerce 
Township. On occasion, 
he enjoys video games. 
Although he is not one for 
formal religious activities, he 
said he is proud to be Jewish 
and celebrates the holidays.
“I enjoy learning about the 
history, stories, culture and 
all the food,” he said. “I’m so 
very proud of my culture as a 
Jewish person.”

The time spent reacting 
to COVID was important to 
his decisions about career 
choices. 
“
Around 2020, when 
COVID hit hard, I really 
decided what I wanted to do,” 
the actor said. “I decided I was 
going to pursue musical the-
ater until either I drop it or it 
works out.”
Although there are no 
other stage performers in 
his family, he is proud of the 
professional animation and 
character designer work done 
by his uncle, Craig Kellman, 
who is pursuing his career in 
California. Among many proj-
ects, his uncle has worked on 
Madagascar film presentations.
”As I’m working on Guys 
and Dolls, I get the blocking 
notes from the person I’m 
understudying, and I watch 
the person I’m understudying,” 
Kellman said. “I don’t typically 
get too much time in that role 
unless the actor playing that 
role is away for the day.” 

Kellman rehearsing the “Crapshooters 

Ballet” dance for Guys and Dolls.

“I ENJOY MY UNDERSTUDY TRACKS 
AND THE ENSEMBLE PARTS FOR 

‘LUCK BE A LADY.’”

— JADEN KELLMAN

