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Derek Andrew Gabriel Kelly, a proud resident of Stratford, Ontario, is a community champion and creative design industry advocate. They run several ventures under StratRED Industries, including Koala Theatre Productions and Consulting, Strictly Stratford Production, and The Coach. Derek holds a General Arts and Science certificate and diplomas in Industrial Management and Theatre Arts - Technical Production. 

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Their passion for theatre began early, and they have received extensive training from the renowned international institution Stratford Festival of Canada. Derek's love for travel takes them to theatre scenes in Toronto, New York City, and beyond, but they cherish seeing productions at The Stratford Festival. Beyond theatre, they have a lifelong interest in horses, sewing, connecting to their Irish farming roots, and gardening.

The forced absence of theatre due to COVID-19 made Derek question their future in the industry. However, a chance meeting with a young person named Gregory and his dog Marley reignited their passion for theatre and brought a new chapter into their life when the theatre went dark. Their first official date as a couple was Mirvish Production's Covid production of "Blindness," during Covid when only 50 audience members were allowed to participate per performance at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. They celebrated their 1st anniversary together at Harry Potter and The Cursed Child in Toronto and in November 2022, saw Jesus Christ Superstar, also in Toronto. Derek and Gregory celebrate their 2nd anniversary together as Stratford opened their 70th season.

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3 Facts You May Not Know about Derek

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1. Derek watched The Who's Tommy 32 times during its run at The Stratford Festival in 2013.

2. They hold the title of Canada's Top fan of Come From Away, having seen it 17 times before its Broadway run and 48 times during its Canadian run in Toronto. They also took 100 people to the show and distributed 50 copies of Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11 by Kevin Tuerff.

3. Derek's grandfather, John Kelly Sir, excavated the foundation for The Stratford Festival and was rumoured to have used recycled unwanted materials from the original stage to build the Kelly Homestead on Line 37 (Now Vivian Line 37). John Kelly also helped raise the festival tent for the first time in 1953. Derek jokes that his grandfather jump-started his passion for theatre 40 years before his birth. 

 

Derek urges everyone to support local arts and culture; theatre is vital and life-changing.

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See you at the theatre! Support your local arts and culture now!