Kevin Carroll '10.
From a shy spectator to a writer for the iconic kids’ show SpongeBob SquarePants, Kevin Carroll ’10 looks back at where it all began.
The transition to a new high school isn’t always smooth. At least, that was the case for Kevin Carroll. For a period of his freshman year, the Melrose native had a hard time picturing the Prep as his home for the next four years. But he will be the first to tell you, his mom wasn’t going to let him give up that easily. Not until he at least tried a club or two. That’s where a chance encounter with the Improv Club takes the stage.
“I thought I would maybe be interested in joining the Drama Guild, but didn’t want to be on stage,” remembers Carroll. “I thought it might be fun to do stage crew. I went down there after school one day, and the drama room was closed. But right across the hall was the black box theater. Inside, I saw a kid from one of my science classes—he was sitting in the audience and he waved me in, so I joined him and just watched these kids, seniors at the time, who were running the Improv Club. I was laughing hysterically. I loved what they were doing, so I kept going back.”
A loyal spectator, Carroll was invited to sit on stage with the cast at one of their bi-monthly performances. As long as he wasn’t roped into performing, Carroll agreed. But in the world of improv, you never know what’s going to happen next.
“During the show, they were playing a game called Freeze. I’m standing up there watching them. They’re acting out all these scenes and I remember thinking, ‘These guys are just so clever.’ Then, one of the seniors came up to me and he tapped me on the shoulder. He’s like, ‘Hey man, you’re going out next.’”
While the game might’ve been called Freeze, Carroll did not. In a pivotal turning point, he joined the cast. “I took on the scene. I can’t even remember what I did—I did some goofy dance or something, but I just remember it got a laugh and it unlocked something for me. I loved it; it was the greatest feeling.”
From there, Improv Club became a staple of Carroll’s career at St. John’s. He was also an avid member of the student newspaper, helping them digitize their print stories by producing his own videos for the online version. Between his appreciation for comedy and passion for video, film was the logical step, leading him to pursue a BA in Film, Video and Interactive Media with a minor in Interactive Digital Design at Quinnipiac University.
“Coming out of college, there was definitely a period of floundering around a little bit,” explains Carroll, who moved to Los Angeles post-graduation. “I didn’t have a job, I didn’t really have a plan. I was like, ‘I’ll find work where I find it.’”
Despite the uncertain nature of the industry, Carroll picked up entry level, temporary jobs as he could get them. And while he didn’t book “the” gig in Los Angeles, it was his network there and a college connection that ultimately landed him at one of the biggest media companies in the world: Nickelodeon.
After beginning as a production assistant in 2016, Carroll rose through the company and now works as a senior writer/producer, collaborating on shows that have earned themselves household names, most notably SpongeBob SquarePants. “What’s been really fun about working at Nickelodeon is discovering these new places for the brand to live. I feel so fortunate to be able to use my creative muscles, the ones that I really discovered at the Prep, and work in an area that I fell in love with. I really didn’t know this job was possible, but I at least had an idea of where I wanted to be and the space I wanted to work in. Now, I just feel completely in my element and at the top of my game.”
You might have even seen some of his work during the 2024 Super Bowl when Nickelodeon and CBS Sports teamed up for the first-ever Super Bowl alternate telecast.
“The game was color commentated by SpongeBob and Patrick. [Actors] Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke were in motion capture suits. And so I’m writing lines for them, and what quickly became the crown jewel of my portfolio, I wrote all the lines for Dora the Explorer when she popped up to explain the rules of the game.”
Aside from scriptwriting, Carroll has discovered a knack for writing song lyrics as well. As a means to involve SpongeBob in some Earth Day programming, Carroll suggested a rap about saving water. Fast forward, Carroll, along with his songwriting partner (a good hometown friend), are recording their original song with industry professionals, eventually racking up hundreds of millions of views across various social networks and platforms with their song, “Save the Water.”
Viewers may also recognize his songs “Bad Neighbor Blues” and “Green Stu ” as featured during the You Bring the Color series in 2017 where viewers could color in a sequence from the opening of the show for a chance to see it live on television. No matter what his contributions may look like, the whole experience is still surreal for Carroll.
“It has been the best job I could ever imagine. I mean, I grew up with it. I always say half of my brain is SpongeBob quotes indelibly. I could have gone to medical school, and half of my brain would still be SpongeBob.”
Carroll continues to make a splash with these iconic characters and programs. But there may be some new projects in store for this St. John’s alumnus.
“I would like to explore the opportunity to potentially create something original for the company. I don’t want to say I’m going to be the next Steven Hillenburg [the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants], but hopefully I can at least be a mini-Hillenburg if nothing more.”
P.S. Read more about Coach Ana Tocco's approach to strength and conditioning.
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