NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Before the age of 25, Milton High School graduate McKenzie Kurtz reached the height of her profession: a leading role in a Broadway musical.
Kurtz earned a starring role as Disney’s unshakable, optimistic Princess Anna from Frozen.
“To have my first role on Broadway be a Disney princess was really a dream come true. Anna is such an incredible character," Kurtz told Channel 2 Action News.
Kurtz might be a familiar face. You may have seen her perform on Channel 2 during a broadcast of Georgia’s Shuler Awards.
After she graduated from Milton in 2015 and the University of Michigan in 2019, an opportunity came quickly.
“I moved to the city in September and got the job in November," she said.
Kurtz made her Broadway debut February 18. However, three weeks later, the coronavirus pandemic shut down all Broadway productions.
On Thursday, Kurtz learned her March 11 performance was her last as Anna. Disney announced the Broadway show is closing for good.
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Kurtz told Channel 2 Action News the cast and crew found out only a couple of hours before Disney made the news public. Kurtz said it was unexpected and very sad.
“It was a total dream come true. Obviously, sad that it was so short," she said.
Now back home in Georgia, Kurtz is spending time with her family, doing online coaching and keeping her skills sharp and ready for the next opportunity.
“I’ve been reading plays, watching new musicals, learning new songs," Kurtz said. "You can still do what you love in the confines of your own home, which has been kind of a comfort to me.”
Kurtz shared a few words of wisdom for the graduating class of 2020 as she just graduated from college a year ago. She said she has no doubt all this will pass and aspiring actors will be able to follow their dreams.