Brenda Pressley Headshot

Brenda Pressley

Get Brenda Pressley Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Brenda Pressley BIO

Brenda Pressley, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, has performed in virtually every facet of the entertainment industry. The daughter of Arzelle C. Pressley and the late Bowen W. Pressley, she has credited her success to the unwavering support and guidance of her family, friends, and teachers. Thanks to this support system Brenda has never lost sight of her dreams.

An Eau Claire High School graduate, she became interested in a theatrical career while attending the University of South Carolina. Brenda participated in the university’s production of Purlie, Sweet Charity, and Hair. Her summers were spent working in professional dinner theater and summer stock. In 1979, Brenda moved to New York City, where she was cast in And Still I Rise, written and directed by Maya Angelou. By 1988, she was a recipient of the George London Grant which is awarded to accomplished performing artists.

Pressley has appeared on Broadway in the original company of Dreamgirls, directed by the theatrical legend Michael Bennett. She was also cast in the long running blockbuster Cats and The Moony Shapiro Songbook. Off-Broadway credits include productions of Marvin’s Room, Blues In The Night, and And The World Goes ‘Round – The Songs of Kander and Ebb for which she received a 1991 Outer Critics Circle Award. For the latter production, Brenda can be heard on the RCA Victor original cast recording.

In regional theaters, she starred in the world premiere of The Old Settler at the McCarter Theater and again at the Freedom Theater where her performance garnered the 2000 Barymore Award for Best Actress. Additional productions for Pressley include roles in Jar The Floor at Syracuse Stage, Blues For An Alabama Sky at The Old Globe Theater and Cincinnati Playhouse.

On television, Brenda co-starred with Oprah Winfrey in the ABC series Brewster Place. Other credits include parts in Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Headlines, New York Undercover, Educating Matt Waters, HBO Life Stories, Daddy’s Girl, Here and Now, Ghostwriter, All My Children, Loving, and One Life To Live. She has been featured in national and regional commercials.

Film credits, for Pressley, include scenes in Cradle Will Rock, written and directed by Tim Robbins; Twisted; and It Could Happen To You.

Brenda Pressley Photos

Brenda Pressley STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theater Company Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2023
Elaine

[Off-Broadway]
Audible Off-Broadway Premiere, 2019
Constance

[Off-Broadway]
Keen Company Original Off-Broadway Production, 2019
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2012
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Vineyard Theatre Production, 2011
A Nurse

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2009
Olivia Shaw

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Aunt Edna

[Off-Broadway]
2006
Louise

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Dolly

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1991
Performer

Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1988
Cynia

Cynia

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1988
Woman of the World

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Cats Chorus [Replacement]

Grizabella (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Les Style

One of "The Stepp Sisters"

One of "Les Style"

Michelle Morris [Replacement]

Ensemble

Ensemble [Replacement]

Les Style [Replacement]

The Stepp Sisters [Replacement]

Ensemble

The Stepp Sisters

Michelle Morris (Understudy) [Replacement]

Effie Melody White (Understudy) [Replacement]

Deena Jones (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1981
Back-up Singer

Performer (Understudy)

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1979
Performer


Brenda Pressley Videos

Brenda Pressley News


Photos: First Look at INFINITE LIFE at the National Theatre


The National Theatre has released new production images for Infinite Life, a co-production with the National Theatre and Atlantic Theater Company. Check out the photos here!

Atlantic Theater Company Cancels Weekend Performances of INFINITE LIFE Due To Covid-19


The Atlantic Theater Company has canceled this weekend's performances of Infinite Life, the world premiere play from Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker due to Covid. Performances from September 15- 17 will be affected by the cancellation. 

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of INFINITE LIFE, Now Extended at Atlantic Theater Company


See photos from Infinite Life at Atlantic Theater Company, now extended!

Review Roundup: INFINITE LIFE World Premiere Opens At Atlantic Theater Company


Atlantic Theater Company is presenting the world premiere production of Infinite Life, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker (Body Awareness) and directed by Obie Award winner James Macdonald (Cloud Nine). Read the reviews. 

Photos: Get a First Look at the World Premiere of INFINITE LIFE at Atlantic Theater Company


Get a first look at photos of Atlantic Theater Company's Infinite Life. Lear how to purchase tickets!

A World Premiere Play, a New Bilingual Musical & More Join Atlantic Theater Company 2023-2024 Season


Get a sneak peek into the upcoming season at Atlantic Theater Company. From world premieres to bilingual musicals, stay updated on the diverse range of productions hitting the stage in the 2023-2024 season.

Atlantic Theater Company's INFINITE LIFE Begins Performances Tonight


Get all the details about the highly-anticipated production of INFINITE LIFE at Atlantic Theater Company. Find out when and where the performances take place, and get a sneak peek into what to expect from this exciting new show. Don't miss out on this unforgettable theater experience!

INFINITE LIFE and BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Set For Atlantic Theater Company's 2023-2024 Season


Atlantic's 2023-2024 season kicks off with the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker's play Infinite Life, directed by James Macdonald, and the world premiere of Marco Ramirez's musical Buena Vista Social Club , directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali.

Kate Baldwin, Max von Essen, Marsha Mason & More to Star in THE ROYAL FAMILY Benefit Reading


Keen Company will present a benefit reading of The Royal Family by George Kaufman and Edna Ferber. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Review: WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Geva Theatre


What did our critic think of WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Geva Theatre? Rochester's Geva Theatre is currently presenting 'We are Continuous' on its Fielding Stage, a small-scale interpersonal confessional about how love grows and evolves, about the unconditional love of a mother and lover, and about the safety and peace offered by those closest to us.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards; Barrington Stage Company Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards; at Barrington Stage Company Leads Best Ensemble Performance!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards; Barrington Stage Company Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

First Stats Released For The BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards; Barrington Stage's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Leads Best Musical


The first live standings have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Sierra Boggess, Jeffrey L. Page, Clint Ramos & More Nominated for 6th Berkie Awards - See the Full List of Nominees Here!


The Berkshire Theatre Critics Association has announced the nominees for the 6th Berkshire Theatre Awards, known colloquially as The Berkies. This year’s awards recognize shows that opened in the greater Berkshire region between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022.

Review: WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Williamstown Theatre Festival


Simon and his mother, Ora, have always been close. She’s been his champion, his defender, and his friend. But when a life-changing secret comes to light, can their bond survive? 2020 Foeller Fellow Tyler Thomas directs this exquisitely wrought WTF-commissioned play by Harrison David Rivers that explores how people can change and how love can evolve

Williamstown Theatre Festival's World Premiere of WE ARE CONTINUOUS Begins Performances Tonight


Williamstown Theatre Festival will celebrate a bustling week of programming at WTF including tonight’s first performance of we are continuous, tomorrow’s first performance of Just For Us, and Sunday’s one-time-only benefit performance of Jimmy Naughton & Friends, and announces casting for tiny father, the final reading in the Fridays@3 series.

Williamstown Theatre Festival's MOST HAPPY IN CONCERT Starring Mary Testa & More Begins Performances Tonight


Williamstown Theatre Festival is celebrating tonight’s first performance of Most Happy in Concert, Tony Award-nominated director Daniel Fish’s reimagining of Frank Loesser’s critically adored score to the musical The Most Happy Fella, choreographed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, playing through Sunday, July 31 on the Main Stage.

Additional Cast Members Announced for Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2022 Summer Season


Williamstown Theatre Festival announced today additional casting and creative team members for the 2022 Summer Season, the final two Fridays@3 readings, and fellowships.

Vineyard Theatre Announces 2021-2022 Season, Featuring Work by David Cale, Lucas Hnath and More


The Vineyard has just announced its new season, which will include productions of Is This A Room, conceived and directed by Obie Award winner Tina Satter; and the Center Theatre Group, Goodman Theatre and Vineyard Theatre production of Dana H., by Obie Award winner Lucas Hnath and directed by Obie Award winner Les Waters. Both shows will come to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre (149 W 45th Street, New York, NY), playing on a rotating schedule.

Brenda Pressley FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Brenda Pressley been in?

Brenda Pressley has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Brenda Pressley been in?

Brenda Pressley has not appeared in the West End.

What is Brenda Pressley next theatre project?

Brenda Pressley's next show will be Infinite Life which opens on 9/12/2023 on Off-Broadway.

Get Brenda Pressley Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos