By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
Coming from a family of seven siblings in her birthplace of Venice, Fla., Kelly Duyn  has never lacked an audience. The new director of the Ravenwood High School’s theatre department developed the acting bug at the age of 9 when she attended the play, Not-So Rumplestiltskin, at her local community playhouse, Venice Theater.

“Seeing kids my age up on stage performing inspired me, and I knew that I had to do it too,” Duyn shares.

After her memorable experience as an onlooker, Duyn immersed herself as an active participant in theatre production and acting throughout her young life at Venice Theater. Duyn learned all creative and technical aspects of theater production including sound, lights, props, acting, directing and teaching drama.

Being involved in theater at such an early age built Duyn’s confidence and helped her to develop a lifelong love of the arts.

“I think that children at any age can be involved in the arts. Also, learning to speak in front of people comfortably builds confidence and helps students to become comfortable in their own skin, which is an irreplaceable experience,” she says.

Some of her favorite productions throughout her acting career include Oliver, Crimes of the Heart and I Never Saw Another Butterfly. She played the complex, emotional part of Raja, in ‘Butterfly.’

After attending the University of Central Florida as a theater major, Duyn began teaching at a public charter school in Florida where she started a successful drama program. Duyn taught for about 10 years in Florida before coming to Nashville where she first worked as an assistant in student support services.

In order to broaden her horizons as a theater major and drama teacher, Duyn was searching for an inspiring, creative environment with a respect for the arts when she found the opening for a drama teacher at Ravenwood.

 “I am privileged to be a part of such an amazing program with such talented students,” Duyn said.. “I hope to continue the legacy with such high level performances that has been created at Ravenwood.”  

When asked why being involved in the drama program is beneficial for students, Duyn said, “In my past 10 years of teaching, I have seen theater change student’s lives. It creates a place of belonging and helps students grow socially and emotionally, as well as, promotes good character traits, maturity ownership and responsibility.”