Meet PIPPIN's Guest Director

Welcome Dr. Larissa Kelloway--the guest director for SMC's Spring main-stage production of PIPPIN! Larissa is a familiar face at Saint Mary’s College in her role as Adjunct Professor in Theatre on courses including Acting for Everybody, The Speaking Voice and Movement for Actors. She also was the dialect coach on our Spring 2025 production of “The Excavation of Mary Anning.” Now, she is directing the Spring ‘26 musical, the first full-scale musical on Saint Mary’s LeFevre stage since 2019.

In addition to her teaching roles here at Saint Mary’s, Larissa performs on Bay Area stages, teaches at American Conservatory Theater and maintains a private voice studio. Grounded in her Ph.D. research, she is a passionate advocate for evidence-based research and pedagogical approaches within the performing arts. She believes high quality research informs and supports pedagogical practices, enhancing the student experience and equips them with the essential skills that they will require for a successful career in the performing arts industry.

Dr. Kelloway is a graduate from the internationally renowned West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre) program (now a Bachelor of Fine Arts). She worked in the industry on and off until her first son was two years old, and then took a break to focus on family and her busy Pilates studio. In 2007, she came back to the performing arts and has worked since then in theatre, cabaret, TV, and advertising. In 2016, Larissa's family relocated to the Bay Area, and she has worked in the local industry with companies including SF's American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Town Hall Theatre, Center Repertory, The Mountain Play, Theatre Rhinoceros, Inferno Theatre, Marin Onstage, and cabaret work at Martuni’s and with Society Cabaret. 

With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz (composer of WICKED), PIPPIN is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. PIPPIN is the winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival. The original PIPPIN musical was inspired by the fictional story of “Pippin the Hunchback,” the son of a Middle-ages king, Charlemagne, who launched a revolution against his father. Dr. Kelloway's version will use a contemporary “ripped from the headlines” story to explore themes of family dynasty and succession, presenting the messy family dynamics of a media mogul who is known for pitting sibling against sibling, succumbing to the machinations of a manipulative spouse, and whose resistance to passing on his legacy ultimately divides the family.

Dr. Kelloway says, “History has a way of repeating itself. The story of PIPPIN is no less relevant today than it was in its time – a dynastical family hungry for power and control, an aging patriarch reluctant to hand over leadership, siblings competing against one another for the throne, wars being waged and information being misrepresented – it’s a frightening familiar pattern. As we live through these challenging times, I hope our version of PIPPIN offers you insight and hope about how futures can be reshaped.”

Join us for this incredible show! Purchase tickets now before they sell out!

Tickets & more info: stmarys-ca.edu/pippin26
Performances in LeFevre Theatre:
Thurs., April 16 at 8pm
Fri., April 17 at 4pm
Sat., April 18 at 8pm (6pm Pre-show reception for Performing Arts parents/guardians, Performing Arts alumni, and Performing Arts major donors. See ticket link option for April 18 to RSVP.)
Sat., April 25 at 2pm & 8pm
Sun., April 26 at 2pm
$8 SMC Seminar students; $10 SMC Students; $15 faculty/staff/non-SMC Students; $20 general admission (with additional ticketing fees online and at the door). The Box Office opens 30 minutes before each performance, but please purchase your tickets online.