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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

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
Performer
Godspell Godspell
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
Performer (Understudy)

Movies

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

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


Center Stage Records and Keaka Productions Present WILD ABOUT YOU World Premiere Rec Photo
Center Stage Records and Keaka Productions Present WILD ABOUT YOU World Premiere Recording: Deluxe Edition

The WILD ABOUT YOU Deluxe Edition, featuring music and lyrics by Chilina Kennedy, is out today. The album includes two new tracks with performances by Eric McCormack, Ashley Loren, and Troy Iwata.
What's Opening Off-Broadway in Fall 2024 Photo
What's Opening Off-Broadway in Fall 2024

Check out a full list of what's opening Off-Broadway this fall! Productions will star big names including Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Krakowski, and many more! See what Off-Broadway has to offer and check out BroadwayWorld's complete list.
Review: Tony Award Winner Joaquina Kalukango Makes Segerstrom Center Cabaret Debut Photo
Review: Tony Award Winner Joaquina Kalukango Makes Segerstrom Center Cabaret Debut

Blessed with jawdroppingly gorgeous vocals, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango—accompanied by music director Michael Orland—wows in her West Coast solo concert debut at OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa to kick off their 2024-2025 Cabaret Series.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 20, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 20, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 20, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III & Rodd Cyrus Join RAGTIME at City Center Photo
Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III & Rodd Cyrus Join RAGTIME at City Center

Additional cast members will be joining the Annual Gala Presentation Ragtime at New York City Center, including Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III and more. Ragtime follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the turn of the 20th century. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Spotlight: JOAQUINA KALUKANGO at Samueli Theater Photo
Spotlight: JOAQUINA KALUKANGO at Samueli Theater

Don't miss the Tony-winning star!
Interview: Tony-Winner Joaquina Kalukango Will Be Mixing It Up At Segerstrom Photo
Interview: Tony-Winner Joaquina Kalukango Will Be Mixing It Up At Segerstrom

Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango will bring her stunning vocals to the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts September 19 through 21st.
WILD ABOUT YOU Deluxe Edition Featuring Music And Lyrics By Chilina Kennedy to be Rel Photo
WILD ABOUT YOU Deluxe Edition Featuring Music And Lyrics By Chilina Kennedy to be Released

The WILD ABOUT YOU Deluxe Edition, featuring music and lyrics by Chilina Kennedy, will be released in September.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month

AT THIS PERFORMANCE... returns to THE GREEN ROOM 42 on September 23, 2024, featuring Broadway understudies and standbys showcasing their talents. Join for an evening of performances from emerging stars.AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from The Outsiders; Hell's Kitchen; Suffs, Once Upon A Mattress; Cats: “The Jelicle Ball”; The Wiz; and Shucked.
New Musical WILD ABOUT YOU Sets Fall Developmental Workshop; Lili-Anne Brown to Direc Photo
New Musical WILD ABOUT YOU Sets Fall Developmental Workshop; Lili-Anne Brown to Direct

Keaka Productions, LLC (Brian Spector), producer of the new musical Wild About You by Chilina Kennedy and Eric Holmes, has announced the engagement of award-winning director Lili-Anne Brown and a two-week developmental workshop and industry presentations in late September/early October.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to The Green Room 42 in August Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to The Green Room 42 in August

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 in August, featuring Broadway's rising stars. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to Green Room 42 in July Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to Green Room 42 in July

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… returns to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies, and Alternates from Hell's Kitchen, Suffs, The Wiz, Water For Elephants, Cats: “the Jellicle Ball”, Back To The Future, and The Heart Of Rock And Roll.
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Photo
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Awards

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics honored ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and OH, MARY! at the Dorian Theater Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway for 2023-24.
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And STEREOPHONIC Lead LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Award Nomin Photo
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And STEREOPHONIC Lead LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Award Nominations

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' 39 theater wing members named their favorites in New York theater for the second annual Dorian Theater Awards, this time toasting the best in Broadway and Off-Broadway for the 2023-2024 season.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns to The Green Room 42 on May 20th Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns to The Green Room 42 on May 20th

 AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring standbys, understudies and alternates from  The Wiz, The Notebook, Back To The Future, & Juliet, The Great Gatsby, and Lempicka.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE… Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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”!
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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?

Joaquina Kalukango has received several nominations for her outstanding performances. She was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Paradise Square. Additionally, she received a nomination for the Distinguished Performance Awards at the Drama League Awards, also for Paradise Square. Kalukango was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Paradise Square, and she earned a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for the same show. For her role in Slave Play, she was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. Furthermore, she received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for The Mountaintop. Kalukango was also nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Hurt Village, and she earned a nomination for Outstanding Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Hurt Village.

What awards has Joaquina Kalukango won?

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; Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Mountaintop; Outstanding Debut Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Hurt Village.

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