Slice Of Life: Meet WAITRESS Ensemble member Kelsey Kott

"In the blink of an eye, there's a new life in front of my face"

Trapped in a dead-end job and an abusive marriage, small town diner waitress Jenna finds escape in making crowd-pleasing pies. But when Jenna signs up for a high-profile baking contest, she'll need all the support she can cook up for a chance at a new life.

Bursting with joyful songs that will warm your heart and belly, the Tony-nominated musical WAITRESS continues its extended run at HCT through June 28th.

Though it's her first appearance on stage at Hickory Community Theatre, Ensemble member Kelsey Kott is already deeply involved instructing others to pursue their own creative talents and dreams.

Hailing from Illinois, diehard Cubs fan Kott now resides in Mount Holly, NC. She has recently completed her first year as the Education Director at HCT, leading a full range of classes for youth and adults—from audition prep to improvisation to body positivity—as well as directing special event productions like 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. And while WAITRESS is Kott's HCT debut, she has already appeared in area productions of SWEENEY TODD at Queens University, 42ND STREET at Showtime Academy, and SNAPSHOTS: A MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK at Fort Mill Community Playhouse.

For Kott, who considers herself "the actor most likely to parody one of the songs backstage," the diversity of shows at Hickory Community Theatre is seriously impressive. "I love the fact that the season doesn't look like any other theatre company's season."

Three additional performances of WAITRESS are happening this weekend, June 26-28 (Thu, Fri and Sat,) at 7:30 PM. THESE ARE THE FINAL PERFORMANCES. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for youth and students.

Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.

WAITRESS is rated PG-13. Some material may not be suitable for children under 13.

WAITRESS is produced in association with Alex Lee, Inc. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 76th season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Belle Age, Covington Dental, LifeRootz, Protection Products, Inc., and Shurtape Technologies. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives Sustaining Support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

(Photo by Eric Seale)