Doyle-Ryder student Kevelin B. Jones III takes center stage in 'The Bodyguard'

FLINT, Michigan—In a star-studded visit by more than 30 cast members of “The Bodyguard” award-winning musical show to Doyle-Ryder Elementary School in Flint, one star clearly outshined the others. 

Classmates flocked to 11-year-old Kevelin B. Jones III, who plays the main character’s son in the travelling theatre group. 

Yes, his classmates.

Even though most of his studies occur on the road, Kevelin is enrolled at Doyle-Ryder Elementary—following in the footsteps of his father, Kevelin B Jones II, who also graduated from Flint Community Schools and is now the principal at Doyle-Ryder. 

Staff and students at Doyle-Ryder welcomed members of “The Bodyguard” cast and crew to the school on October 20, the morning of their 300th road show. The group of visitors included Deborah Cox, who plays Rachel Marron, and Judson Mills, the bodyguard. The visitors read to the students, answered questions about what it was like to work in live theatre, and ate lunch at the school.

Kevelin Jones III has always loved singing and dancing. “I’ve been watching TV basically my whole life. I’d love to be on TV,” he said. In 2016, he was named “Best Overall Child Singer” at the Actors, Models and Talents for Christ (AMTC) Shine Conference. His aunt got him connected with Shine, a Christian conference and auditioning opportunity. At the national conference, Jones attracted the attention of agents who suggested he go to New York to audition for “The Bodyguard.” He started traveling with the company in June 2017.

Principal Jones is a Flint native and attended Stewart, Brownell, McKinley, and Southwestern Academy schools. He joined Doyle-Ryder just two months ago as its principal. His wife, Tanisha, is on tour with their son, but Jones was able to join them on the road several times over the summer before starting his new job at Doyle-Ryder. “She’s with him to keep him grounded,” he said.

“I enrolled him here because I wanted him to get his education,” Jones said of his son who is acting and travelling full time. His tutor on the road communicates with his teacher here in Flint. He submits assignments online and touches base with his teacher regularly. While he admits to getting homesick, Kevelin keeps in touch with his father and siblings through Facetime and phone calls.

And, when the crew and managers realized the show at the Wharton Center in Lansing was so close to the school where Jones is new principal, plans fell into place. 

Ensemble member Nikki Spencer, who has been with the cast since March, said she knew very little about Flint except that a college friend was from the area and the water crisis. She left with a huge smile on her face after reading to the children: “They’re so loving,” she said. “So responsive.” 

Actor Judson Mills said he felt right at home in Flint. “It reminds me of my home in Virginia where I grew up.” An athlete, Mills got into acting in his junior year of high school. He spent three years on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” and has a host of acting credits.

Cox, a Grammy award winning R&B recording artist, says, “This is really, really, really cool. We don’t get the chance to do this very often. We would love to do it more. At the end of the day, it’s a great opportunity to inspire kids to find careers.” 

Other company members highlighted the variety of career options for students who are interested in theatre. Not everyone is interested in being on stage under the lights, but there are opportunities for those who are attracted to lighting design, sound reinforcement, props, computers, and music. 

Jasmin Richardson, who plays Nikki Marron, encouraged the students to study. “You can never know enough,” she said. She also urged the students to participate in activities that give them opportunities to study their craft. She and other cast members continue to take voice and dance lessons. Richardson also challenged students to be involved in school and community theater.

Doyle-Ryder students have a unique connection to the performing arts because of a Disney Musicals in Schools grant from Disney Theatrical Group and the Wharton Center in Lansing. 

“The Bodyguard The Musical” is played at the Wharton Center Oct. 20, 21, and 22 and returns to Michigan for a two-week run in January at the Fisher Theater in Detroit.