Kelsey Kott was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Kott earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Education from Illinois State University, as well as an endorsement in Secondary English Education. She moved to South Carolina to teach Drama, English, and Speech at Indian Land High School. She also sponsored the school’s Drama Club and Poetry Out Loud team. After teaching for five years, Kott decided to pursue her master’s degree in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. During this time, Kott transitioned to a role teaching remotely for Proximity Learning, Inc., an educational company that pairs teachers with understaffed Title I schools. In 2026, Kott served on the Carolina Playwrights Lab Reading Committee for the Carolina Theater Workshop. Some of her favorite directing credits include NEVER THE SINNER, MR. MARMALADE, and THE YELLOW BOAT.