In the heart of the School of the Arts, where creativity meets business acumen, Morgan Kelly, a performance artist and rising junior, exemplifies the spirit of the Arts Entrepreneurship program. Majoring in Theatre with minors in Music and Arts Entrepreneurship, Morgan’s journey is a testament to the program’s profound impact on aspiring artists.
Artistic pursuits and passions
Morgan’s artistic repertoire is as varied as it is impressive. “I am an actress and singer, primarily working on stage, though you can also find me both in front of and behind the camera,” she shares. As a Production Coordinator for local filmmakers, Morgan balances her academic commitments with her roles in various productions. Notably, she portrayed Maria Rainer in Boise State’s main stage production of ‘The Sound of Music’ and Krista in the theatre department’s production of ‘Lost Girl’ last fall. Her vocal talents also shine in the university’s varsity choir, Meistersingers.
Impact of the Arts Entrepreneurship Program
The AE program has been pivotal in shaping Morgan’s career outlook. “The Arts Entrepreneurship program has been positively influential on my view of how to successfully live as an artist and how to exist in a cut-throat environment as a whole,” she explains. One course, ‘Conversations with Working Artists’, provided her with invaluable insights through interactions with successful artists like Eric Gilbert, Co-Founder of Treefort; Zach Voss, a local videographer and editor; and Mike Doherty, an NYC-based actor.
Additionally, Morgan encountered artists she might not have met otherwise, including board game designer Kelly Knopp, author Alan Heathcock and local artist Betsie Richardson, whose journey from adversity to selling her products at Albertsons was particularly inspiring. “Each of these artists spoke about how passion and dedication, accompanied with knowledge of business and navigating a complicated industry, guaranteed their success. It gave me hope for my future in a unique and often unreliable part of the workforce,” Morgan reflects.
Guidance and mentorship
Morgan attributes much of her growth to the guidance of Sue Latta, a cornerstone of the AE program. “Sue Latta has been my professor for nearly all of my AE classes. She leads with passion and dedication, is an honest grader, a great encourager, and a fantastic mentor,” Morgan praises. Sue’s emphasis on learning business foundations to combat the “starving artist” stereotype has empowered Morgan and her peers, providing them with the tools needed for success in their futures.
Future aspirations
As for life after graduation, Morgan’s plans are still taking shape. “I hope to perform as much as I can after I leave Boise State,” she says. Morgan has strategically overloaded her credits to dedicate her senior year to auditions. Her ultimate goal is to move to a city with more theatre opportunities, earn her Equity card and eventually pursue her Broadway dreams. Dream roles include any of the Queens in ‘Six the Musical’, Jenna in ‘Waitress’ and Middle Allie in ‘The Notebook.’
A final word of advice
Morgan encourages all students, regardless of their major, to engage with the AE program. “Young artists need the tools this program offers to navigate an ever-changing industry, especially with the introduction of AI. As Sue says, let’s change the stereotype of the ‘starving artist.’ We, artists, are valuable, we are powerful, and we deserve to be treated and paid as such.”
Morgan Kelly’s journey through Boise State’s Arts Entrepreneurship program highlights the transformative power of combining artistic passion with entrepreneurial skills, preparing the next generation of artists to thrive in a dynamic world.