The theatre community mourned the loss of Kyle Jean-Baptiste when his tragic, accidental death shocked his castmates and people around the world. The 21-year-old actor fell to his death off his mother's fourth floor fire escape in Brooklyn on August 28th.
Kyle joined the cast of the iconic musical Les Miserables on Broadway on June 23, playing ensemble roles and understudying the protagonist, Jean Valjean. He made history as the first African American man to perform the role of Valjean on Broadway on July 23. In addition, Kyle made history as the youngest man to ever perform the role on Broadway at the age of 21. See his incredible performance of the seminal song "Bring Him Home" here.
The Imperial Theatre dimmed their lights on September 1, keeping the tradition of honoring Broadway actors who have passed away. Crowds of people cheered outside of the theatre as the marquee dimmed its lights, remembering Kyle and celebrating his life.
Kyle graduated earlier this year with his BFA in Musical Theatre from Baldwin Wallace University. Les Miserables producer, Cameron Mackintosh, and Kyle's classmates worked to create a scholarship fund in his memory. As of September 3, the Kyle Jean-Baptiste '15 Musical Theatre Scholarship had grown to nearly $135,000 in donations. The scholarship will go on to fund a young talent in Baldwin Wallace's musical theatre program.
While Kyle's family stated funeral services would remain private, around 200 of his friends and castmates gathered around Bethesda Fountain in Central Park just days after his death. They gave a beautiful tribute, singing "Do You Hear the People Sing?" in honor of Kyle and his fantastic performances in Les Miserable on Broadway.
The theatre community is one of the most tight-knit professional communities throughout the world. It truly is a small world, as actors work at many theatres around the globe, constantly meeting new people and establishing lasting connections. The unity of the theatre population makes Kyle's death resonate with thousands of actors from all walks of life. The theatre and Broadway communities continue to mourn the tragic loss of such a beautifully talented young man.
