Kaylee Ellis

"The Diving Board"

When did you first discover theater/what was your first experience?: I saw Beauty and the Beast on tour at age 4 or 5, and around the same time I first watched The Sound of Music on VHS. I was absolutely enamored and sang every song while doing my chores!
When/how did you become a writer? Is there a writer, show, or text that particularly inspired you?: Deep down I always wanted to write, but didn't think I could. It was listening to Anais Mitchell talk about her journey with Hadestown that helped me realize it wasn't out of my reach.
How do you describe your style/work?: Musically, think Chopin meets Taylor Swift meets Sondheim. My goal is for the audience to connect with the universal emotions of each story, even if the character's experience is unfamiliar to them.
What is most rewarding to you about writing music?: Music makes people feel seen, but it also helps people see others. There's nothing more fulfilling than being a small part of that.