Alexa Kelly (formerly known as Mary Kelly), is the co-founder of Pulse Ensemble Theatre in New York City, and has been Pulse’s Artistic Director for the past 29 years. Born of a Greek mother and a Scottish father, she was raised and educated in London, England.

Alexa studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, for 3 years. She then visited the US, where she got an MFA at UNC, and worked on a Ph. d. at Florida State University.

She has directed 51 of Pulse’s main stage productions. She has worked regionally as a host for PBS-TV, and as an actor, director or teacher at the Alliance Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Attic Theatre, Academy Theatre, Little Five Points, etc. She was the Literary Manager for the Walnut Street Theatre for two years, and ran a drama program at FCI in Tallahassee for 3 years. She has taught and/or directed at UNC, FSU, U of M, Tisch School of the Arts, and Adelphi University.

Alexa also founded and produced the Harlem Summer Shakespeare Project. Producing for 15 years in the beautiful Amphitheatre in Riverbank State Park, Harlem.

Union affiliations: SSDC, AEA, SAG, League of Professional Theatre Women, Dramatist Guild of America.