Headshot for Jordan Kelly

Jordan Kelly

Jordan is an accomplished Canberra-based self-taught dancer, performer, choreographer and director, who has been involved in the Canberra theatre scene for over two decades. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, he has worked on multiple productions and events, sometimes simultaneously. 

He most recently appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Philo, 2025) and frequently performs in shows for Templo Theatre (theatre restaurant). Having also helped coordinate, choreograph and perform in their show All That Glitters. 

He appeared last year in the award-winning productions of The Boy from Oz (Free-Rain, 2024) playing Wally Bell, and Bring It On (Philo, 2024) playing Action/Riff understudy – performing 3 shows as Riff (Dramatic Productions, 2023).

Jordan was choreographer and assistant director for Back to the 80’s (Unknown Company, 2004) and assistant director for Hair (QCC, 2012) and made his debut as a director in 2013 with Footloose for SUPA Productions. He directed and choreographed Showtune (Canberra REP, 2014) and was assistant director for Grease (QCC, 2015). Jordan was recently director for Philo’s 2023 critically acclaimed, and multiple nominated/award winning production of Cats, for which he was nominated for a CAT Award for ‘Best Director of a Musical’.

Jordan has choreographed many shows for a variety of local and interstate theatre companies over the years.  Highlights include the multi award-winning production of Avenue Q (2011), Jesus Christ Superstar: The Arena Spectacular (AIS Arena, 2015), starring Luke Kennedy (Runner up on The Voice 2013, Ten Tenors) and Michael Falzon (We Will Rock You, Swing on This) and The Full Monty’ (2019). 

He has received CAT Award nominations for his choreography work on The Wizard of Oz (2000), Shout (2006), High School Musical: Under the Big Top (2007), Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2010), Hair (2012) and Eurobeat (2013). 

Jordan has choreographed for events, charity galas, cover bands, fashion parades, bridal waltzes, Rock Eisteddfods, Dance Festivals and awards nights.  In 2012 Jordan choreographed and featured in his first feature film, Theatre of the Dead (currently streaming on Amazon Prime). In 2013 he was the choreographer and flash mob organiser for ‘Smack Bang (In the Middle)’, a song written for the Canberra Centenary.

On stage Jordan has performed in too many shows to list, playing various lead and ensemble roles. Highlights include his CAT award nominated performances as Rum Tum Tugger in Cats (Philo 2007) and Bernardo in West Side Story (Philo 2009)

Other highlights include:

  • Kenickie in Grease (G-String Productions, 2004)
  • Chris Bell/Peter Allen understudy in The Boy from Oz (Philo 2010), in which he performed the role of Peter Allen for 2 shows 
  • Chicago (Free-Rain, 2012)
  • Wicked (Free-Rain, 2016)
  • We Will Rock You: The Arena Spectacular Tour (Pee Wee Productions, 2018). This performed in Canberra and Wollongong.
  • Kinky Boots (Free-Rain, 2019)
  • MAMMA MIA! (Free-Rain, 2021) 
  • Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical (Free-Rain, 2022), 

He has danced in Europe and the USA (including performing in the Disneyland Winter Parade), at nightclub launches, New Year’s Eve celebrations, Gala Balls, charity events, Awards nights, nightclub events and sports events. 

He has appeared in TV commercials, in TV Shows, music videos, Short Films and a web series.

In 2011, he won the Gold CAT Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance & Choreography. In 2012, he won the Canberra Critics Circle Dance Award for his performance and choreography work throughout the year. In 2013, he won the Judges Choice award & in 2014 he won the Audience Choice award, both with singing partner Jenny Williams, for their performances in the singing competition Canberra Takes Two, raising money for SIDS Kids.

Jordan is a Fitness Instructor and International Les Mills presenter, who travelled to LA in 2023 to present on a worldwide distributed Les Mills class release. He is currently an Adidas sponsored athlete and has previously been sponsored by Reebok.

He has previously been a judge for the Canberra Area Theatre Awards and is currently on the judging panel for The Ovation Awards.

Productions