Kelly Berry

Theater | Legend of the Arts Inductee, 2025

Kelly moved to Statesboro, GA in 2003 when he began his career with Georgia Southern University as a Professor of Theater and served as the Director of Theater at the time of his death in June of 2023. His 20 years of service with Georgia Southern University allowed Kelly to work with 100s of students, instructing them in the fields of stagecraft, set design, lighting design, stage management, and theater management. In addition to his extensive career with the University, Kelly held a position on the Averitt Center Board of Directors and served as Board President for two years. Kelly was a member of the Bulloch County Historical Society and was involved with many other organizations and theaters along the East Coast and Hawaii, where he was a part of the OHIA Family. Prior to his time here in Statesboro, Kelly grew up in Latta, SC and attended Coastal Carolina University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During his time at Coastal Carolina, Kelly was employed with the Gatlin Brothers Theatre in Myrtle Beach, which later became the All-American Theater, where he served as a Technical Director until 1999. After leaving Myrtle Beach Kelly taught for one semester at William and Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country, located in Williamsburg, Virginia. In August of 2000, Kelly moved to Hawaii where he attended the University of Hawaii and received his Master of Fine Arts.