Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea.
Hi Chelsea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I come from a theatre family, and I don’t mean a family who happens to appreciate theatre. I come from a family of actors and singers with decades of experience on stage and screen. As a kid I was surrounded with cast albums, playbills, promotional materials, and golden age movie musicals on VHS. At 8 years old I fell in love with Jesus Christ Superstar, and ever since have claimed Mary Magdalene as my dream role. I began taking vocal lessons and acting classes as young as 10 and went on my first audition (which I believe was for Peter Pan) around the same time. I sang onstage for the first time ever at the Paramount at age 12, booked my first professional production at 15, and have been performing on Austin stages for a cumulative 25 years. I left briefly in 2005 to pursue a musical theatre degree, returned to Austin in 2009, and have been working steadily as a theatre artist since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Theatre can be a tricky thing to be part of because, as the adage goes, “you get a hundred no’s for every yes.” The constant rejection takes some getting used to, especially in the earlier years. But I’m glad to say that at least for me personally, it’s gotten exponentially easier. I received a rejection earlier this week and put it behind me by the next day. It thrills me to share that I’ve developed enough confidence in myself and in my craft that rejections no longer bother me. And I’ve noticed that every rejection leaves an opening for another amazing opportunity, so I like to think of rejections as redirections.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for being a singer, which is my first and most prominent love. I am also known as a theatre artist who specializes in performing but is also an experienced writer, director, choreographer, composer, and music director. I am incredibly proud of the fact that I have been performing on stages in Austin for over 25 years and have worked with over 20 theatre production companies (some of which no longer exist!) based in central Texas. I am a multiple-time B. Iden Payne Award nominee, a Central Texas Excellence in Theatre Award nominee, and a BroadwayWorld Austin Award nominee. I like to think that my ability to emotionally connect to text, whether it be scripted lines or lyrics, so deeply and authentically is what sets me apart as an artist. Being a deeply emotional person hasn’t always benefited me in life, but it almost always benefits me as an actor.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I don’t have much of a social media presence, but I do use Instagram to promote my theatrical endeavors. YouTube is also great because of the countless instrumental tracks available there that are great for singing auditions. Books are another great passion of mine, and realizing that any first person passage from a book can be used as a monologue has helped me out in several auditions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: chelltzee
