A political science concentrator at Brown, the Long Island native plans to pursue law school after earning a bachelor’s degree. He said his stage dreams align with the skills he will one day need in the courtroom. 

“Throughout history, we’ve seen art and performance used as a political tool to help ignite change,” Kavully said. “And when you’re asked to defend someone in court, that’s a performance — you’re hinging on your public speaking skills and your ability to rehearse, study and present.”

Kavully joined the cast of “MJ The Musical” in January and continued his studies at Brown during the Spring 2025 semester through the University’s Semester Internship Program, which enables students to earn credit for full-time experiential learning. Each week during the semester, Kavully attended an internship roundtable and lessons, taught by Adjunct Lecturer in Education Kelly Watts, that focused on workplace dynamics and career development. 

Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of the Arts and Africana Studies Lisa Biggs, Kavully also developed an independent study course that traced the evolution of Black performance from the 1800s to today. 

That experience helped Kavully reflect on how performance and politics don’t just coexist in his life — they’re deeply intertwined, especially in the productions he has joined. “Hairspray,” Kavully’s first professional musical theater job, tells the story of racial integration in 1960s Baltimore, while “MJ the Musical” includes several direct references to the racism Michael Jackson faced as a Black artist. 

“Performing a show like ‘MJ’ with a predominantly Black cast here in Australia is a political statement of its own,” Kavully said. “We’re presenting these ideas to over 2,000 people every night who may not understand the deep-rooted racism that Black Americans experience.” 

Kavully credits Brown with preparing him to navigate both the theater industry and his academic experience with commitment and focus. In turn, the “MJ the Musical” tour has inspired Kavully and will shape his approach the rest of his time at Brown, he said. 

“Something Michael Jackson said on his rise to fame is that he wanted to perfect perfection,” Kavully said. “While that’s impossible because you can never be perfect, it’s true that people strive to replicate his work ethic. For me, that means being so undeniable in whatever it is that I’m pursuing that it becomes second nature.”

At Brown, Kavully is a member of Impulse and Attitude, two student-led dance companies on campus, and he has held positions on the Undergraduate Council of Students. He served as a research assistant for Professor of Sociology and Education Policy John Diamond and has assisted fellow students as a peer career advisor at the Center for Career Exploration. 

Following his education at Brown and what he hopes will be a successful and fulfilling performance career, Kavully aims to work as a lawyer who represents other performers, gives back to the communities who helped him find his path, and broadens access to professional arts and performance spaces.

“There’s so much room to grow and there are so many different places I can go,” Kavully said. “And while I did achieve this dream, it’s only giving me space to make new ones.”