Watching your first Broadway performance can be a moment of epiphany, when something clicks and you immediately wish to see yourself up on that stage. Anna Hertel’s love for musical theatre began when she saw her first Broadway show.
“I fell in love with performing at a very young age,” Hertel said. “I was seven years old when I saw ‘Wicked’ on Broadway and I knew immediately it was what I was meant to do. I then became part of a dance company and participated in my community theatre shortly after.”
Hertel is currently on her first national tour, as an alternate, where she covers all six queens in “SIX the Musical.” After three years of intense auditioning, she finally booked the job and joined the Boleyn tour.
“This was a dream pinch me moment for sure,” Hertel said. “This show was a very lengthy process but so worth it in the end.”
Covering six of the main leads in a show can be very emotionally demanding. Hertel prepares for these challenges by focusing on each queen’s individual personality which helps her step into each character.
“I go through my notes that I’ve written down for each queen and pinpoint what makes them so special,” Hertel said. “Each queen I go on for is so different and leads with a ton of passion. Knowing their history with Henry is a huge part of it as well and how you fit in the puzzle of the six wives.”
Working alongside both the cast and crew is a special connection, but a memory she will never forget is the moment she first stepped on stage performing as one of the queens.
“This cast and crew is very special,” Hertel said. “I loved when we got to perform our first queen together and be in our costumes for the first time on stage. It was magical.”
Before Hertel joined the national tour of “SIX the Musical,” she was a part of an off-Broadway show called “Rock & Roll Man.”
“I was in my first off- Broadway show in New York City back in 2024 called ‘Rock & Roll Man’ at New World Stages which is currently playing in the West End,” Hertel said.
Besides performing on the national tour, Hertel spends much of her time in a band with her husband called “Honey I Duo.”
“I love to play guitar with my husband,” Hertel said. “We are an acoustic duo in New York City playing around Manhattan and it’s a blast.”
Going forward, Hertel hopes to pursue a career in both film and musical theatre. Since the industry is very difficult, she encourages individuals planning on pursuing a career in entertainment to always have resilience and commitment.
“Go in with so much confidence and believe that you can be part of this industry,” Hertel said. “Keep showing up and remain a student. I go into every project with open arms and try to absorb and learn as much as I can. You’re never too old to keep learning. Also, find things that you love in other fields as well and collaborate with artists who challenge you.”
