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"Knudsen is a vocal powerhouse
of wonderful musicality
that ignites sparks 
and is always thrilling to hear"

~ Jim R.,Take 2, Col 428
"Visually striking, emotionally moving, captivating"
~ The Arts Paper

Upcoming

Starring in....

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June 24-28, 2026
 

at the Latea Theatre, NYC
June 24 at 4pm
June 26 at 6:30pm
June 28 at 1pm

as part of the:
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Highlights

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Writing Highlights:

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~ authored numerous plays, musicals and adaptations (book, lyrics, music) fully produced in regional theatres (www.RewlsProductions.us)

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~ published four books in two languages (Kendall-Hunt Publishing): Monologues for All Ages... with Pointers (volumes 1 & 2), Joan Joyce: the Wonder Girl, and Choosing Motherhood (co-authored)​

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Directing Highlights:

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~ Award-Winning Director for Playing for Time

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Nominated for Best Director of a Professional Musical: Beauty and the Beast by BroadwayWorld

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Nominated for Best Director of a Professional Musical: A Christmas Carol by BroadwayWorld

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~Nominated for Best Direction of a Play for The Play That Goes Wrong by the Connecticut Critics Circle

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Acting Highlights:

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~starred in Love Letters opposite James Roday Rodriguez

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~ starred as Beline opposite legendary Alvin Epstein in An Imaginary Invalid

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~ Nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for Joan Joyce by BroadwayWorld

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~ starred as Portia in Julius Caesar under the direction of Alvin Epstein

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Producing Highlights:

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~ Producing Artistic Director for Julie Andrews' direction of The Great American Mousical, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli

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~ Producing Artistic Director for Gabe McKinley's direction of Masters of Puppets, starring Kurt Fuller, Dana Ashbrook, Michael Hogan, and Amanda Detmer 

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Best Direction Of A Play (Professional)
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG - Legacy Theatre​
 

Biography

A member of ASCAP and Actors' Equity Association, Keely has performed internationally in plays, musicals, operas, and dance companies and has choreographed and directed hundreds of events and theatrical productions. She is a composer/lyricist often engrossed in the undertaking of  new plays and musicals. Her authorship includes book and lyrics on  Ladies M,  Joan Joyce (co-author), and adaptations with original music for A Christmas Carol: a holiday tradition, Peter and Wendy, and The Tales of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh. Kendall-Hunt has published two editions of her text Monologue Book for All Ages... with Pointers. and Joan Joyce: the Wonder Girl has been published in two languages. After graduating first in her class with a BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and receiving a Masters in Drama on full scholarship from The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Keely found a love of teaching drama to all levels. She has taught at Yale University, Fairfield University, Hartt School of Drama, Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, and was the Director of Education for the Elm Shakespeare Company for several years. Keely spearheaded a purchase and theatrical renovation of an historic theatre and is the Co-Founder and served as Artistic Director of The Legacy Theatre (www.LegacyTheatreCT.org), which produces professional runs of shows per season, with classes, Broadway Concerts and one-off productions throughout the year for 15 years (including its first five seasons in its restored theatre) and now proudly sits on the board.  Her production company, Rewls Productions (www.RewlsProductions.us), actively seeks works to produce for the world's stages. She was honored to be awarded the "Women of Excellence" award by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce in 2021 and to receive the "Legacy Spotlight Award" in 2025 from Stephanie Stiefel Williams and James Roday Rodriguez . 

© 2025 by Keely Baisden Knudsen

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