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Joaquina Kalukango

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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.

Joaquina Kalukango Photos

Joaquina Kalukango STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2024
Anita

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Nelly Freeman

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere, 2021
Zainab

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Kaneisha

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Production, 2017
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Nettie

[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2015
Kate

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Ensemble

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Production, 0
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Production, 2012
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
Performer (Understudy)


Joaquina Kalukango Movies

Chained for Life
[ 2018 ] Michelle
One Night in Miami...
[ 2020 ] Betty X

Joaquina Kalukango 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

Joaquina Kalukango Videos

Joaquina Kalukango News


AT THIS PERFORMANCE… Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month


Join the much-anticipated return of AT THIS PERFORMANCE at The Green Room 42 on Monday, April 22, 2024. Experience an unforgettable night of Broadway magic.

AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 Next Month


The show will feature standbys, understudies, and alternates from various Broadway hits like DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES, BACK TO THE FUTURE-THE MUSICAL, and more.

Interview: Michael Orland Enjoys/Loves Being Continuously Booked & Always Giving Back


The consistently busy musical director Michael Orland books gigs on both coasts juggling the multitude of vocalists all vying to have his piano expertise to accompany them. One of his next shows in Los Angeles will be his Open Mic Event at the Write-Off Room March 22, 2024. Michael managed to answer a few of my queries during his drive to Palm Springs.  

Video: Watch 'The Whole World's Waitin' to Sing Your Song' from JELLY'S LAST JAM


Watch video footage of Nicholas Christopher, Alaman Diadhiou, and the ensemble of Encores! Jelly's Last Jam performing 'The Whole World’s Waitin’ to Sing Your Song' here!

Video: Tiffany Mann and Okieriete Onaodowan Perform 'Michigan Water' In JELLY'S LAST JAM At City Center Encores!


Get a peek at the New York City Center Encores! production of Jelly’s Last Jam. In the video below, watch as Tiffany Mann and Okieriete Onaodowan as Buddy Bolden perform “Michigan Water”!

Photos: First Look at Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM


Up next in the New York City Center Encores! season is Jelly’s Last Jam. Check out new photos of the cast in action!

Review Roundup: JELLY'S LAST JAM Opens at New York City Center


Read the reviews for Jelly's Last Jam at New York City Center, starring Billy Porter and more.

Video: Watch Highlights of Nicholas Christopher, Billy Porter & More in JELLY'S LAST JAM


In this video, watch highlights of Jelly's Last Jam at New York City Center Encores!.

Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for JELLY'S LAST JAM at Encores!


In this video, watch as the cast of Encores! Jelly's Last Jam meets the press and gives a special sneak peek of 'Jelly's Jam' and 'Play the Music for Me.'

Photos: The Cast of JELLY'S LAST JAM at City Center Encores! Meets the Press


Jelly’s Last Jam runs February 21 through March 3 at New York City Center. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand to chat with them about the upcoming show. Check out photos from the press event here!

Photos: Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM Cast Poses for Portrait


Rehearsals are now underway for Encores! next show- Jelly’s Last Jam, led by director Robert O’Hara. Check out a new photo as the cast paused from rehearsals here!

Jamie Muscato to Join Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, and More In WILD ABOUT YOU Concert


Jamie Muscato will be joining Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, Oliver Tompsett, and Tori Allen-Martin in the new musical in concert Wild About You, which is making its World Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Okieriete Onaodowan & Alaman Diadhiou Complete the Cast of Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM


Okieriete Onaodowan (Hamilton) will join the cast of Encores! Jelly’s Last Jam as Buddy Bolden and Alaman Diadhiou will make his New York stage debut as Young Jelly. See the full cast and learn how to purchase tickets!

Video: The Encores! Orchestra Rehearses JELLY'S LAST JAM


It's Jelly's first Jam! The 15-piece Encores! Orchestra, led by Guest Music Director Jason Michael Webb are jammin’ in “Jelly’s Jam,” a musical theater orchestration of Jelly Roll Morton’s iconic original jazz music, and Webb provides insight into how the music connects past and present in this video.

Cast Members From HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, HAMILTON, MJ & More to Join AT THIS PERFORMANCE... at The Green Room 42


AT THIS PERFORMANCE... returns to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies, and Alternates from HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, HAMILTON, HARMONY, MJ THE MUSICAL, and KIMBERLY AKIMBO. Join us on Monday, February 19th at 7 PM for an evening of Broadway talent.

Oliver Tompsett Will Join Eric McCormack in the Premiere of WILD ABOUT YOU at Theatre Royal Drury Lane


Oliver Tompsett will be joining Eric McCormack in the new musical in concert Wild About You, which is making its Worldwide Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane this spring with a stellar cast.

Video: Watch Cynthia Erivo's Full New Year's Eve Special, Available to Stream Now


Cynthia Erivo's New Year's Eve PBS special is now available to stream online! Cynthia Ervio & Friends: A New Year's Eve Celebration also features Broadway veterans Ben Platt and Joaquina Kalukango. Watch the full special in the video here!

Album Review: Chilina Kennedy's WILD ABOUT YOU (World Premiere Recording) Debuts A New Show In Development


A little over halfway through, Bobby’s ears felt a bit overtaxed on the ballad/power ballad front and wished there were one or maybe even two more up-tempo songs

Video: Watch Cynthia Erivo Sing With Joaquina Kalukango & Ben Platt in PBS Concert Preview


This New Year’s Eve, join Cynthia Erivo, for a musical celebration filmed at the Kennedy Center. Joining Oscar-nominated Erivo are Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award–winner Ben Platt (Parade, Dear Evan Hansen), and Tony winner Joaquina Kalukango (Paradise Square). Watch the video preview now, including Erivo singing 'Nothing Compares 2 U.'

What to Watch on New Year's Eve - Cynthia Erivo, Reneé Rapp & More


As 2023 comes to a close, Broadway fans will be able to ring in the New Year with some of their favorite faces! Countdown to midnight with names like Cynthia Erivo, Ben Platt, Joaquina Kalukango, Reneé Rapp, Neil Patrick Harris, and more. Check out a full guide of what Broadway fans should watch on TV this New Year's Eve!

Joaquina Kalukango 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?

Joaquina Kalukango has been nominated for the following awards: Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Paradise Square, Distinguished Performance Awards at the Drama League Awards for Paradise Square, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Paradise Square, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Paradise Square, Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Slave Play, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Slave Play, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for The Mountaintop, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Hurt Village, and Outstanding Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Hurt Village.

What awards has Joaquina Kalukango won?

Joaquina Kalukango has won several awards, including Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Paradise Square, Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Slave Play, Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for The Mountaintop, and Outstanding Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Hurt Village.

What is Joaquina Kalukango next theatre project?

Joaquina Kalukango's next show will be Jelly's Last Jam which opens on 2/21/2024 on Off-Broadway.

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