Look out Broadway – Kelsie Watts is making her debut!
Since the age of two, Watts dreamed of performing on The Great White Way. Following in the footsteps of her musical family, the Lubbock, TN native seized every opportunity to hone her skills, performing whenever she could. When she wasn’t singing in church, she was auditioning for school productions. As she grew older, her passion for music led her to Belmont University in Nashville, where she studied opera and commercial music.
Despite years of training, a lifetime of experience, and a growing online audience, Watts still questioned whether her Broadway dreams would ever come true—until a chance encounter with “SIX” musical director Roberta Duchak on the Nashville Showboat changed everything.
A few years, a coveted spot on Kelly Clarkson’s team on The Voice, and an expanding music catalog later, Watts is finally making her “impossible dream” a reality. On Wednesday, February 19, at the Lena Horne Theatre (256 W 47th St, NYC), she will begin her reign on Broadway as Queen Jane Seymour in the globally acclaimed, Tony Award® winning musical, “SIX” .
We caught up with Watts between rehearsals for an exclusive look into the casting process, the artists who inspired her love of music, and more!
ECHO: Congrats on your upcoming Broadway debut! This debut has been years in the making. Can you share the story behind your first initial interaction with Roberta Duchak, musical director for “SIX”, after your Showboat variety show performance, and how you got to this moment?
Kelsie Watts: I was performing about 10 shows a week in a variety show a few years back. After every performance, the cast stood by the exit to thank the audience. A woman came up to me post show and handed me her card. She said something along the lines of, “I love your voice! Here’s my card. I’m working on casting a new show and would love to chat.” I literally texted her that evening not knowing that I was texting the musical director of “SIX” the musical on Broadway, Roberta Duchak. And that’s how it started! The team invited me to an audition and eventually it led me here!
ECHO: Who or what first got you interested in music, and was Broadway always a dream of yours?
Kelsie Watts: Broadway was my first love! I remember listening to Les Miserables when I was 4 years old. We were on a family trip and I was crying in the backseat of the car because I knew Fantine was dying. Live theater has always impacted me in a special way.
ECHO: What are you excited to bring to the role of Jane Seymour?
Kelsie Watts: From a character perspective, I’m excited to bring my awkwardness to Jane Seymour. We are both awkward in our own little ways. But from a musical perspective, I’m excited to bring the pop/rock vibe of my voice to the performance.
ECHO: What has been your favorite and/or most surprising part of rehearsals so far?
Kelsie Watts: My favorite part of rehearsals has been the amount of intentional training every single day. I love that we work as a group, but also as individuals in every aspect. I’m getting to sing, dance and act 6 days a week and I’m learning so much!
ECHO: What has it been like to be embraced by the Broadway community?
Kelsie Watts: Being embraced by the Broadway community has been so overwhelming in the best way possible! I can’t wait to get even more involved, meet people in other shows and dive into the love that’s in this city!
ECHO: I was reading that, in addition to music, you express yourself creatively through tattoos. Have you got or are you planning on getting any to mark the occasion?
Kelsie Watts: Oh for sure! I love getting a small tattoo for every tour. But I’m not “planning” any if that makes sense. I really like where my ink has landed so we’ll see what happens!
ECHO: In addition to your Broadway debut, is there anything else fans can look forward to in 2025?
Kelsie Watts: There is so much for everyone to look forward to this year! I’m actually going to release a new single very soon! Even though I’m now on Broadway, I’ll still be recording and releasing my own music. This next one is my favorite so far.
ECHO: What is one quote that you have heard of that you go by that you want to ECHO out to the world?
Kelsie Watts: One quote I go by is “People may not always remember exactly what you said, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.” My dad has always told me that one and it’s stuck with me. I want everyone I meet to feel loved, like they belong.
For tickets to see Kelsie Watts as Queen Jane Seymour in “SIX”, visit www.SixOnBroadway.com
Featured Photo Credit: Guap City Productions