Michael M. McGuire and Dr. Baron Kelly have partnered to produce a documentary on the life of the late African-American actor, Ira Aldridge (1807-1867). Born in New York, the son of a minister, Aldridge defied his father's wishes to enter the ministry and, building on his involvement with the African Grove Theatre, moved to London to pursue a career on the stage, where he became a celebrity and inspired audiences across Europe.
Dr. Baron Kelly is an actor and scholar. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and his acting credits range from the Royal National Theater (UK) to Broadway, television, and film. He currently serves on faculty at Chapman University and was recently selected as a member of the National Endowment for the Arts Theatre Advisory Panel. A two-time Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Kelly has researched and lectured on Ira Aldridge in the US and across Europe.
Michael M. McGuire is an award-winning filmmaker and recent alumnus of the MFA Producing Program at the renowned American Film Institute. He met Dr. Kelly ten years ago in Madison, Wisconsin, where they performed in the Madison Repertory Theatre's production of The Three Musketeers and later starred together in Athol Fugard's famous play, Master Harold and the Boys. |
