Moira Kelli O’Connor is a senior Musical Theatre student studying under the tutelage of Janeece Freeman-Clark. Originally from Hallowell, Maine, Moira has been featured in Pippin, Good Luck in Space, Forget Me Not, Violet, the Disney Theatrical reading of Frozen, and Freshman Pops while at MSM. Moira will close out her undergraduate career with the MSM Musical Theatre Senior Showcase, happening this May.
Moira: Violet is about the journey one must embark on to find oneself. It takes us on a ride through the segregated South, where the main character, Violet, experiences the playwright’s interpretation of African American social and church culture. Violet grows through her newfound relationships and discovers what is truly important in life—that beauty comes from within.
Moira: The portrayals of these characters have so much heart. The raw talent of these actors in this production will blow you away.
Moira: I am in the ensemble! What I love most about being in the ensemble is that I get to create my own backstory that lives in the world of the play. My character is heavily inspired by my grandmother, Nira, and my ancestors, who have paved the way for me. My character’s name is Irene, and I am the president of my NAACP chapter in Erie, PA. I am traveling through the South to attend meetings to come up with strategies to further change the state of our world.
Moira in Pippin, Fall 2025
Moira: My favorite MSM memory was collaborating with my acting teacher Andy Gale and humanities professor Delano Copprue for my independent study on the playwright Alice Childress. During this time, I often went to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, which helped me discover so much material that has given me perspective on how I will develop the play that I am currently writing.
Moira: I decided to attend MSM because it allows artists to explore many different aspects of Musical Theatre. During my time, I have had the opportunity to be a part of several new works, choreograph my own pieces, and write and perform my original music.
“The portrayals of these characters have so much heart. The raw talent of these actors in this production will blow you away.” Moira Kelli O'Connor (BM ’26), Musical Theatre
“The portrayals of these characters have so much heart. The raw talent of these actors in this production will blow you away.”
Moira Kelli O'Connor (BM ’26), Musical Theatre
Moira: My mother and grandmother have inspired me deeply. Their passions for music and writing have shaped me into the person that I am today.
Moira: Time Period, Heartfelt, and Resilient
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