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Written by Nicole Wilson
Broadway rising star Kevin William Paul steps into the spotlight in a striking new editorial photographed in one of New York City’s most historic districts, where modern fashion meets vintage architectural charm. Lensed and directed by award-winning celebrity, Broadway, and fashion photographer Nicole Wilson, known for capturing some of the most recognizable faces and biggest stars from Broadway to Hollywood, the editorial arrives at a defining moment in Kevin’s rapidly rising career.
After spending the last couple of years under Broadway’s glittering lights starring in the Tony-winning hit The Outsiders, Kevin has established himself as one of the most magnetic young performers on the New York stage. Now he steps into a new chapter with a standout role in Stephen Schwartz’s The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company, performing opposite Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose and acclaimed TV and Broadway star Scott Bakula. The production runs through December 21st, offering audiences the chance to witness this formidable ensemble in action.
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The Beginning of a Storyteller
Kevin’s journey began at home, where imagination shaped everything. “I reenacted scenes from my favorite characters in movies and imitated friends and family,” he says. “Playing in the backyard for hours, letting my imagination run wild — that’s really where it started.”
His artistic DNA was shaped early by a rich blend of influences. “Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale… Paul Giamatti in John Adams, Alexander Payne movies, The Bourne Series, Love Actually, Crazy Stupid Love,” he recalls. Add to that the soaring voices of some of Broadway’s most famous leading men Adam Pascal, Aaron Tveit, and Raúl Esparza, and Kevin’s earliest inspirations painted a clear picture of the kind of dynamic storyteller he hoped to become as he came into his own.
Family trips to New York to see Broadway shows sealed the deal. “It was everything to me. Those trips were like fuel.”
Carnegie Mellon: A Foundation in Craft
At the prestigious Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Kevin found the structure and rigor that would shape him professionally and personally. “CMU surrounded me with incredibly talented and driven artists,” he shares. “The focus on acting as the core of any artistic expression helped me grow exponentially — not just as a performer, but as a young man.”
Armed with what he calls a “wonderful toolbox to draw from at all times,” Kevin stepped into the professional theatre world with confidence, intention, and emotional depth.
The Outsiders: A Rocket to Broadway
Kevin’s journey to his Broadway debut in The Outsiders was as exhilarating as it was demanding. “I must’ve gone in for callbacks a handful of times,” he says, smiling at the memory. Each session required deeper exploration, often for multiple roles. “Eventually, landing as Bob, I built the role with the team out of town in La Jolla, through various workshops, and finally on Broadway.”
Embodying Bob Sheldon required fearlessness. “From my final callback onward, I knew my task: to really go there,” he says. Tony Award winning Director Danya Taymor encouraged him to fully inhabit Bob’s troubled psyche without judgment. “Truth is, we all have Bob in us, just like we have Hamlet and Superman,” he explains. “The difference between the hero and supposed villain is often a difference in choice, not humanity.”
The run was unforgettable , at times intensely so. One week after opening night, Kevin experienced sudden, severe abdominal pain and underwent an emergency appendectomy. “My appendix moment was one for the books,” he laughs. “I was back in the show by Wednesday night. That’s showbiz, baby.”
A cast trip to Tulsa became another emotional highlight. “Connecting with Susie Hinton, the author of The Outsiders, and standing in the real locations… it bonded us forever. Our entire Outsiders crew is forever a team.”
A New Chapter: The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company
In The Baker’s Wife, Kevin plays Dominique, a character who disrupts the delicate pulse of a small French village. Sharing the stage with Ariana DeBose and Scott Bakula, Kevin brings both charm and complexity to the role.
He was hooked from the first notes he heard. “I absolutely loved the songs Dominique sings, ‘Proud Lady’ has such a robust, fun quality, and ‘Serenade’ is Stephen Schwartz perfection,” he says. And the French setting resonated deeply: “My late grandfather loved French culture and served as a major influence for me. Seeing as this story is set in France, I immediately felt a deeper calling.”
Much like Bob in The Outsiders, Dominique is a catalyst for change. “It’s a joy to find the humanity in a role that is often misinterpreted,” Kevin explains. “It always begins from the heart, and then builds from there. Easier said than done. But the payoff is always worth it.”
One of the brightest moments so far? Meeting original Dominiques from past productions. “Hearing their stories and sharing sweet moments after the show… I was elated on that walk home.”
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The Artist Emerging
Through the intensity of these roles, Kevin has discovered something essential: the role community plays in sustaining an artist.
“The people I can call when I need to talk something out… to dive further into a rehearsal moment… to remind me to play and find the joy , I’m incredibly fortunate to have that support,” he says. “They are a gift.”
With a blend of emotional intelligence, discipline, and unassuming charisma, Kevin William Paul stands firmly as one of Broadway’s most compelling new voices. From The Outsiders to The Baker’s Wife ,and the many stories still ahead , his ascent feels both well-earned and thrilling to watch.
Kevin William Paul @KevinWilliamPaul
Photographer / Creative Director: Nicole Wilson @nicolewilsonnyc + @nicolewilsonphoto
Stylist: Kyrie Thompson | @Nokyap
Men’s Grooming / HMU : Taylor Levitan (Taylor Rose Beauty) | @Tayonmyface
Retoucher: Olya Kay | N/A Videographer: Josh Passaretti @Jmpmedia