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Joaquina Kalukango

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BIO

Joaquina Kalukango is an American actor and singer best known for playing Nelly O'Brien in the Broadway musical Paradise Square, for which she won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Play in 2020 for portraying Kaneisha in Slave Play. In addition to her theatre work, Kalukango has appeared in One Night in Miami and When They See Us.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Saturday Church
[Off-Broadway]
2025
Ensemble ()
Jelly's Last Jam Jelly's Last Jam
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2024
Anita
Paradise Square Paradise Square
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Nelly Freeman
The Visitor The Visitor
[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere, 2021
Zainab
Slave Play Slave Play
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Kaneisha
The Red Letter Plays: F-ing A The Red Letter Plays: F-ing A
[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Production, 2017
Performer
The Color Purple The Color Purple
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Nettie
The Wild Party The Wild Party
[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2015
Kate
Holler If Ya Hear Me Holler If Ya Hear Me
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Ensemble
Antony and Cleopatra
[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Production, 0
Performer
Hurt Village Hurt Village
[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Production, 2012
Godspell Godspell
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
(Understudy)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)

Movies

Chained for Life
[ 2018 ] Michelle
One Night in Miami...
[ 2020 ] Betty X
Robin Roberts Presents: I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story
[ 2025 ] Gloria Gaynor

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Joaquina Kalukango, Slave Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Joaquina Kalukango, Slave Play


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

Joaquina KalukangoThe Mountaintop

- 2012 - Theatre Finalists

Joaquina Kalukango

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Joaquina Kalukango, The Hurt Village


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Debut Performance

Joaquina Kalukango, Hurt Village

Videos

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News


AT THIS PERFORMANCE.. Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE.. Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring standbys, understudies and alternates from Ragtime; Wicked; Hadestown; Aladdin; Beetlejuice; Masquerade; and The Seat Of Our Pants.
Where Are All Of the New Musicals This Season? Photo
Where Are All Of the New Musicals This Season?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 2, 2025

Only two new musicals are opening on Broadway in the first half of the 2025-2026 season: The Queen of Versailles and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). There has been much discourse on the topic of whether rising capitalization costs and the rareness of full recoupment is impacting the number of new musicals being produced on Broadway. 
SATURDAY CHURCH Extends for Second and Final Time Photo
SATURDAY CHURCH Extends for Second and Final Time
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 25, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop's world premiere musical Saturday Church has extended for a second and final time. Learn more about Saturday Church and see how to purchase tickets!
All the Off-Broadway Shows to See in Fall 2025 - A Complete Guide Photo
All the Off-Broadway Shows to See in Fall 2025 - A Complete Guide
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2025

BroadwayWorld is here with your fall 2025 guide to all the shows lighting up New York’s stages. From world premieres to long-awaited revivals, this season’s Off-Broadway lineup delivers something for every kind of theater fan!
Damon Cardasis Wants to Take You to Church Photo
Damon Cardasis Wants to Take You to Church
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 14, 2025

The congregation is gathering at New York Theatre Workshop! The new musical Saturday Church, is officially in previews and set to open on September 15. Before it was a musical, Saturday Church was an acclaimed 2017 Spring Pictures film written and directed by Damon Cardasis. He just checked in with BroadwayWorld to tell us all about how the project came to be and why audiences need to run (not walk) to check it out for themselves. 
SATURDAY CHURCH Extended for Additional Week at New York Theatre Workshop Photo
SATURDAY CHURCH Extended for Additional Week at New York Theatre Workshop
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2025

The world premiere musical Saturday Church has extended its run for an additional week at New York Theatre Workshop. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets here!
New York Theatre Workshop to Present FOR THE CULTURE Series For SATURDAY CHURCH Photo
New York Theatre Workshop to Present FOR THE CULTURE Series For SATURDAY CHURCH
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 15, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop revealed details for their For The Culture Series for the world premiere of the new musical Saturday Church. Learn more and see how to attend!
2,400 Sign BD Wong's Letter Denouncing MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Casting Choice Photo
2,400 Sign BD Wong's Letter Denouncing MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Casting Choice
by Michael Major - Aug 11, 2025

Aaron J. Albano, Ali Ewoldt, Ann Harada, Anthony Rapp, Conrad Ricamora, the Broadway Body Positivity Project, Joaquina Kalukango, Jon Jon Briones, Telly Leung, and many more have signed Wong's open letter on the subject.
Understudies & Alternates from MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, SUNSET BOULEVARD, & More Come to G Photo
Understudies & Alternates from MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, SUNSET BOULEVARD, & More Come to Green Room 42
by Emmy Rice - Aug 2, 2025

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… returns to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from MAYBE HAPPY ENDING; PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL; SUNSET BOULEVARD; MOULIN ROUGE!; BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB and REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL.
Full Cast and Dates Set for Sia Musical SATURDAY CHURCH at New York Theatre Workshop Photo
Full Cast and Dates Set for Sia Musical SATURDAY CHURCH at New York Theatre Workshop
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop has revealed the full cast for the world premiere of the new musical Saturday Church. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets here!
Kristolyn Lloyd, Jackson Kanawha Perry and More Take Part in SATURDAY CHURCH Reading Photo
Kristolyn Lloyd, Jackson Kanawha Perry and More Take Part in SATURDAY CHURCH Reading
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 3, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop just presented a reading of SATURDAY CHURCH, which will be included in its upcoming season. In addition to previously announced Bryson Battle, J. Harrison Ghee, Joaquina Kalukango and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, the reading featured Kristolyn Lloyd, B Noel Thomas, Caleb Russell Quezon, Jackson Kanawha Perry, J Cameron Barnett, Jimin Moon, Primo Segar, Damani Van Rensalier, Venus Deleon, and Michael George.
The Best Tony Awards Fashions of the 2020s Photo
The Best Tony Awards Fashions of the 2020s
by A.A. Cristi - May 30, 2025

Let’s take a look back at some of the most unforgettable looks that turned the Tony Awards into a true fashion spectacle. Check out photos of all of our favorite Tony Awards fashions of the 2020s!
Joaquina Kalukango and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week Photo
Joaquina Kalukango and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 16, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Joaquina Kalukango and more! See the full lineup here!
Video: Watch Joaquina Kalukango Sing Joni Mitchell, PARADISE SQUARE at 54 Below Photo
Video: Watch Joaquina Kalukango Sing Joni Mitchell, PARADISE SQUARE at 54 Below
by Michael Major - May 7, 2025

Joaquina Kalukango teamed up with acclaimed music director Michael Orland for their 54 Below debut in An Evening with Joaquina Kalukango. Known for her unforgettable roles in Paradise Square, The Color Purple, and Slave Play, see videos!
New Musical From Rachel Chavkin & The Bengsons, and More Joins New York Theatre Works Photo
New Musical From Rachel Chavkin & The Bengsons, and More Joins New York Theatre Workshop 2025/26 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop has announced its 2025/26 Season featuring three world premiere productions and a fourth offering for Spring 2026 that has yet to be announced.
See Tom Kitt Featuring Ariana DeBose and More at 54 Below in May Photo
See Tom Kitt Featuring Ariana DeBose and More at 54 Below in May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. The lineup includes Tom Kitt featuring Ariana DeBose, plus more! 
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from GYPSY; MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL; & JULIET; OH, MARY!; HADESTOWN; and more.
Photos: Backstage at AN EVENING WITH JOAQUINA KALUKANGO at 54 Below Photo
Photos: Backstage at AN EVENING WITH JOAQUINA KALUKANGO at 54 Below
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 19, 2025

54 BELOW welcomed back Broadway leading lady Joaquina Kalukango on February 12, 13, & 15 at 7pm. See photos from the event here! 
Photos: NYTW's 2025 Gala Honors Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango, and Greg Nobile Photo
Photos: NYTW's 2025 Gala Honors Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango, and Greg Nobile
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 11, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop just celebrated its NYTW 2025 Gala, honoring Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Check out photos from inside the big day.
Review: Segerstrom Center's Cabaret Series Welcomes Broadway Talents to the OC Photo
Review: Segerstrom Center's Cabaret Series Welcomes Broadway Talents to the OC
by Michael Quintos - Feb 8, 2025

For two weekends in a row in January 2025, Segerstrom Center for the Arts presented some powerhouse talents from the world of Broadway to their enjoyable Cabaret Series. First up was the returning Jason Robert Brown, the Tony Award-winning composer of musicals such as PARADE and THE LAST FIVE YEARS joined by a new special guest, Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose. The following weekend, the Samueli Theatre then opened its doors to Tony nominee Kerry Butler’s hilarious one-woman comedy cabaret 'Breaking Broadway.'
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Joaquina Kalukango been in?

Joaquina Kalukango has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Joaquina Kalukango been in?

Joaquina Kalukango has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Joaquina Kalukango been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Paradise Square, Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for Paradise Square, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Paradise Square, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Paradise Square, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Slave Play, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Slave Play, Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Mountaintop, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Hurt Village and Outstanding Debut Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Hurt Village.

What awards has Joaquina Kalukango won?

Joaquina Kalukango has won several prestigious awards, including the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Paradise Square. She also received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for Slave Play. Additionally, Kalukango earned the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play for The Mountaintop. She was honored with the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance for Hurt Village.

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