JEFF McKERLEY, a native of Wellington, AL, has been actively involved in the Atlanta theatrical community since 1987. Not limiting himself to musical theatre, he also uses his artistic creativity as a local director/choreographer and works almost year-round at the New American Shakespeare Tavern as an actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer.
Some of Jeff's favorite roles in musical theatre include Anatoly in CHESS (Best Actor Award--OnStage Atlanta); Howard in WHOOP-DEE-DOO! (Best Actor Award--OnStage Atlanta); Hysterium in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Best Comedic Actor--Atlanta Journal-Constitution); Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS; Beadle Bamford in SWEENEY TODD; Jasper in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD; and Michael in I DO, I DO.
Jeff has also been critically acclaimed for his non-musical comedic roles: Timothy in RESCUE & RECOVERY (One of Atlanta's Top Five Actors--Southern Voice Magazine); Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; and B Flatt in SECOND SAMUEL (by Atlanta playwright Pamela Parker)--a role written for him.
Other favorites include Lenny in EASY-THE PLAY; Richard in THE LIFE & DEATH OF KING RICHARD II; the title role in Chekov's IVANOV; and Gooper in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.
Jeff studied Theatre Arts at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. He has had the privilege of performing as Chuck in the National Tour of PROMISES, PROMISES and as Cole Porter in the National Tour of RED, HOT, & COLE.
Jeff's directing/choreography credits include: HAIR; BIG RIVER; GRAND HOTEL; A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Best Non-professional Production--Atlanta Magazine); BYE BYE BIRDIE; SHENANDOAH; FUNNY GIRL; and SECRET GARDEN, to name a few. He ranks VANITIES; TALLY'S FOLLY; and FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF in the best of his non-musical theatrical endeavors.
Explore Jeff's website pages for his involvement in current and upcoming productions in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas.