"In front of the curtain, Mason Kelso commands the stage with signature vocals and excellent dancing; behind it, he helps to make theater magic happen."
-Springfield News Leader for USA Today
-Springfield News Leader for USA Today
BiographyMason Kelso is a New York City based performer and musician. Originally from a cattle farm in Eudora, Kansas he graduated from Missouri State University’s BFA Musical Theatre program in 2018. In New York, Mason has been seen in the Off-Off Broadway productions of Peter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss, St. Bart’s Players), Acirema (Tarrow, Hudson Guild, NYC Premiere), Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz (Cowardly Lion, 92Y, NYC Premiere), and Roasted (Stephon, Manhattan Repertory Theatre) Mason has also worked regionally for companies such as Variety Theatre (The Little Mermaid, Jetsam and Mary Poppins, Valentine/Ensemble), and The Ohio Light Opera (selection of credits include:Hotel Manager (Primrose, first production staged in America), Quartet/Featured Dancer (Babes in Arms), Steam Heat Dancer (The Pajama Game), Baron/King of Eldorado (Candide), and Ensemble/Featured Dancer (The Music Man, Anything Goes)). Other regional credits include: Ensemble (A Christmas Spectacular, MTH), Brad (Hairspray, Lawrence Arts Center), and Josh (9 to 5: The Musical, Springfield Little Theatre). Along with his work on stage, Mason is also an accomplished pianist and musical director. As a pianist Mason has been seen on the international stages of the Amalfi Coast International Music Festival as well as the International Institute for Young Musicians. As a musical director, Mason has directed/assistant directed several musicals and cabarets including Avenue RST Cabaret (Lawrence Arts Center, MD); Avenue Q (Lawrence Arts Center, AMD); My Fair Lady (Tent Theatre, AMD); and MT Styles Dance Cabaret (MSU, MD). Mason has coordinated and music directed his own cabarets including a cabaret of 21st Century musical theatre music, and the "I Love You, I Love You Not" Valentine’s Day cabaret. In addition Mason served as typist to award winning composer Craig Carnelia on his original composition for Missouri State University’s production of Twelfth Night. To learn more about Mason's work as a music director and to contact him about musical arrangements click here. Mason has also worked as a choreographer. Recently he has choreographed pieces for Eudora High School's Dance Team for festival and competition use. He has also choreographed for MSU Opera Theatre's Fall 2017 "Roots of American Musical" scenes and served as the choreographer for their production of Orpheus in the Underworld. Outside of theatre and music Mason is an avid baker and enjoys making his specialty snickerdoodles from scratch. If you are not able to find Mason on stage or behind a piano, you will find him in a kitchen making something deliciously sweet or helping his amazing and supportive family on their cattle farm in Kansas. |
ReviewsPeter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss) - St. Bart's Players
Broadway World Dorothy's Adventures in Oz (Cowardly Lion) - 92Y
The New York Times Disney's The Little Mermaid (Jetsam) - Variety Theatre
Limelight Disney's The Little Mermaid (Jetsam) - Variety Theatre Broadway World |