This story was originally published on March 30, 2023.
Hoosier actress Keirsten Hodgens is reflecting on her time on Broadway.
During her time in the Broadway production of “SIX the Musical,” Hodgens alternated for the roles of Catherine Parr, Anna of Cleaves and Jane Seymour — the last of which she was the first woman of color to originate. As an alternate, Hodgens went on for 78 performances, sometimes with as little as 20 minutes notice.
“When you book a show on Broadway, it’s so wild,” Hodgens told the Recorder. “I also like the challenge of making it new every day cause when you do the same thing every single week for a year, it gets kinda repetitive, so I like the challenge of making it new every day, every week, every month.”
“SIX the Musical” is an original British musical comedy about King Henry VIII’s six wives who take turns telling their stories — singing competition style — to let the audience decide who had the worst fate.
Written by Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow, the show was first introduced and performed by Cambridge University students at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 before premiering on the West End in 2019. “SIX the Musical” finally made its Broadway debut in February 2020 but had to go on hiatus during the pandemic.
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After graduating from Ball State University, Hodgens spent a few years living and working in Chicago before “SIX the Musical” reopened in October 2021. That’s when she moved out to New York to work in the production full-time from September 2021 to December 2022.
Though Hodgens said performing in “Six the Musical” was the hardest thing she’s done in her career yet, getting to experience alternating three different roles for more than a year made her feel like “Wonder Woman.”
And of course, after spending so much time portraying them, Hodgens said she loves all three of her former characters equally, though each for different reasons. Catherine Parr (the one who survived) has the best costume, but Anna of Cleves (second wife Henry VIII divorced) is a role she gets to be “kind of goofy with.”
“Truly they are all so special,” Hodgens said. “Catherine Parr holds such a special place in my heart because it was the first one (role) I learned. It was my first cover, and she wraps the show up and brings everybody together, and her role is just so empowering.”
In an industry that has been predominantly white for decades, Hodgens draws much of her inspiration — both on and offstage — from other Black queer women in the theater space. As a performer, Hodgens said representation is imperative to open the door to more artists who look like her to feel welcome.
Another large component of representation extends to the audience, as young Black kids get so excited when they see people who look like them dressed up, dancing and singing like a popstar on stage.
“It wasn’t every day that we saw Black kids and young Black kids in the audience, so going out there in all of my blackness and queerness … and being able to represent, it felt amazing,” Hodgens said. “It was a reminder that we were able to take up that space.”
However, it’s still an incredibly tough job, Hodgens said. After her contract ended, she reflected on her run and said there are a lot of beautiful parts about it, but there’s also a few downsides too — including adjusting to the crazy schedules, managing a social life or personal time and maintaining good mental health.
Today, Hodgens is focusing on her next steps and expanding her reach as an actress. She’s since moved away from Broadway with a few TV and film ventures lined up, some of which will return her to her hometown — where she initially fell in love with theater during a high school production of “Godspell.”
“I’m shifting a little bit,” she said. “I want to work on a lot of new things … like new musical theater, and I want to do TV and film. So, that’s the new direction I’m headed in with my new managers.”
Follow Keirsten Hodgens’ journey at instagram.com/shespeaksmusic/?hl=en
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
