bio
Kelly Crandall d’Amboise is an Emmy and Helen Hayes nominated director/choreographer with a career that spans directing for television, directing and choreographing for theatre, and performing in film, television, and on Broadway.
Kelly has worked alongside some of the greats
including Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Chita Rivera, and Jim Carrey
Her directing credits include The World Cultural Festival 2023 on the National Mall in Washington DC where she directed over 19,000 performing artists from all over the world, The National Philharmonic’s 2020-21 Season for PBS, PBS’s An Ella Fitzgerald Christmas starring Vanessa Williams, PBS’s We are Family starring Laura Osnes, and PBS’s Broadway’s Brightest Lights starring Megan Hilty.
She has directed numerous live concerts including The Lincoln Center Winter Gala starring Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Holliday, The Kravis Center’s Night of Stars starring Chita Rivera and Brian Stokes Mitchell, and many American Pops Orchestra concerts at Arena Stage in DC featuring Maestro Luke Frazier and the music of Aretha, Dolly, Jerry Herman, and Cole Porter, starring Ariana Debose, Michelle Williams, Betty Who, and Liz Calloway.
She has directed children’s theatre for The American Pops Orchestra, and several cabarets for the stage at Signature Theatre including Entirely Elvis, ‘Ol Blue Eyes, and Motown 2.
As a choreographer her work includes The Bridges of Madison County, She Loves Me, Grand Hotel, Light Years, and An Act of God at Signature Theatre in DC, as well as The Crucible at Olney Theatre Center, Newsies! at Connecticut Repertory Theatre, and Urinetown at Next Stop Theatre. Kelly worked as an associate director/choreographer for many years with credits that include Simply Sondheim, Crazy for You, Billy Elliot, La Cage aux Folles, Cabaret, and The Studio atSignature Theatre, Camelot at North Shore Music Theatre, and Hot ‘n Cole at The Westport Country Playhouse.
Her performance career includes BROADWAY: The Boy from Oz (Original Broadway Cast), Chicago, Dirty Dancing (workshop), Last Dance (workshop). NATIONAL TOURS: Chicago, The Producers, NEW YORK: Mike Ockrent and Susan Stroman’s A Christmas Carol, NYC Opera: The Most Happy Fella with Paul Sorvino, FILM: Disney’s A Christmas Carol directed by Robert Zemeckis, What Women Want directed by Nancy Meyers, TV: The TONY Awards, The Academy Awards, Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular, Comedy Central’s Denis Leary Roast, and The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Kelly was the Artistic Associate and Casting Director at Signature Theatre for many years and is an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University’s School of Dance.
She resides in Northern Virginia with her family and dog, Penny. @kelly_damboise