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Laiona Michelle

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BIO

Laiona Michelle, a native of Springfield, MA added writer to her resume with her double bill as writer and star of the critical and box-office smash, Little Girl Blue, The Nina Simone Musical, which launched its world premiere engagement at the George Street Playhouse on Feb 1, 2019. Now, she takes on the mantle of book writer, for a new project, Mandela -- a musical based on Nelson Mandela’s life; from his days as a leading activist against Apartheid, to his imprisonment and eventual release to become the nation’s President.


Laiona Michelle began to gain national notoriety when she made her Broadway debut in 2015, in the musical, Amazing Grace, which opened at the Nederlander. Cast in the principal role of Nanna, a woman stolen away from her family by slave traders, she delivers one of the stand out musical moments of the play.
Laiona credits William Shakespeare as the reason that she fell in love with theatre. As a child, she was taken to see a Shakespearean production and knew immediately, “This is what I want to do.” Since that time, she has been developing her skills as a writer, actress and singer, constantly working on expanding the full range of her natural vocal abilities.
Laiona Michelle has been nominated for numerous awards including the Independent Reviewers of New England, Best Lead Actress award (2001, Stonewall Jackson’s House); and is the recipient of the Barrymore and Carbonell Awards (2004, Constant Star); The NAACP Hollywood award (2005, Constant Star), and she was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award (2005, Yellowman).
Before joining the cast of Amazing Grace, Laiona was part of the First National tour of The Book of Mormon. And prior to that, she had honed her skills, performing at some of the most renowned regional theatres in the United States including the Arena Stage, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Goodspeed Theatre Company, Westport Country Playhouse and many more.
Laiona has also written several children’s plays/musicals for Dream Studios, a non-for-profit arts organization providing access to the performing arts, and located in her hometown of Springfield, Ma.
As a writer, an actor, and a Black woman, Laiona believes in the importance of “owning our stories.” She champions the idea of breaking down stereotypes that would box her in or type cast her, therefore limiting her ability to grow.
Laiona Michelle resides in New York City. She is a graduate of Brandeis University (MFA), and did her undergraduate work at Alabama State University in Theatre Arts.
For more information, visit www.laionamichelle.com.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2022
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Nanna

[Chicago]
World Premiere Production, 2014
Performer

[US Tour]
1st National US Tour, 2012
Ensemble

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Lead Singer / Chorus

Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
Book

Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

Laiona MichelleYellowman

Videos

News


Review: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at GSP-An Extraordinary Relevant Show

George Street Playhouse (GSP) opens their 50th Anniversary Season with 'What the Constitution Means to Me.'  
Video: Kate Baldwin Stars in WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME

Get a first look at George Street Playhouse's What the Constitution Means to Me, written by Tony Award nominee Heidi Schreck, and directed by Laiona Michelle. What the Constitution Means to Me began previews on September 24, 2024, and opened on September 27 for a limited run through October 13, 2024. 
Photos: Kate Baldwin in WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at George Street Playhouse

George Street Playhouse is presenting What the Constitution Means to Me, written by Tony Award nominee Heidi Schreck, and directed by Laiona Michelle. Get a first look at photos of Kate Baldwin in the production and learn how to purchase tickets.
Kate Baldwin To Star In WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME At George Street Playhouse

Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin will star in WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at George Street Playhouse. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Live & In Color To Develop ZOMBIES, INC. This Fall At The Bingham Camp

After a cross-country search for a new musical, Live & In Color has announced that they will develop THE LAST MAN by Marcus Perkins Bejarano and Kim Jinhyoung this fall for their 10th anniversary season.
Live & In Color Announces Esmé Maria Ng As The Recipient Of The 2024 June Bingham New Playwright Commission

The June Bingham New Playwright Commission honors the legacy of the late artist and playwright, June Bingham, by providing support to a new generation of early-career women/femme and/or non-binary storytellers as they seek to create work that manifests change in the world.
CLOSET WRITER Staged Reading to be Presented at Theater555

Masterworks Theater Company and Theater555, in association with the George Street Playhouse’s “The Next Dramatist Program”, will present a staged reading presentation of *“Closet Writer,” inspired by the reflections of Tawana Smith, by Antu Jacob. Learn how to purchase tickets.
THE SHARK IS BROKEN & More Set for George Street Playhouse 2024-2025 Season

George Street Playhouse has unveiled complete programming for the 2024–2025 season. See the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
MANDELA: A NEW MUSICAL London Cast Recording Out Now

Center Stage Records has released the original London cast recording of Mandela – A New Musical, recorded live at the Young Vic, is now available on all digital platforms.
George Street Playhouse Presents HAVING OUR SAY - Previews Begin November 28

George Street Playhouse presents Having Our Say, the Tony Award-nominated play by Emily Mann (A Streetcar Named Desire, Anna and the Tropics). Having Our Say is adapted from the book by Sarah (Sadie) L. Delany & A. Elizabeth (Bessie) Delany with Amy Hill Hearth and is directed by Laiona Michelle (Her Portmanteau).
Submissions Now Open For Live & In Color's 2024 Season

Live & In Color is accepting submissions for their 2024 Fall retreat at the Bingham Camp. Playwrights, composers, and lyricists of color and underrepresented communities can submit their new musicals with a 4-actor cast limit. Selected submissions will receive a $1,000 stipend, housing, meals, and travel.
George Street Playhouse Announces Its 50th Season

George Street Playhouse has announced its 2023-24 productions. This golden anniversary year will mark the 50th season for the award-winning theater company, with performances at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Brunswick, NJ.
Live & In Color To Develop WE START IN MANHATTAN This Fall At The Bingham Camp

After a record-breaking cross country search for a new musical, Live & In Color announces WE START IN MANHATTAN by Ariella Serur and Sav Souza as the musical to be developed during the company's 2023 fall retreat.
Live & In Color Announces Raquel Almazan As The Recipient Of The 2023 June Bingham New Playwright Commission

The June Bingham New Playwright Commission honors the legacy of the late artist and playwright, June Bingham, by providing support to a new generation of early-career women/femme and/or non-binary storytellers as they seek to create work that manifests change in the world. Director and Arts Leader, Abigail Grubb, serves as the Program's Director and Co-Founder alongside Live & In Color's Artistic Director and June Bingham's nephew, Devanand Janki.
Live & In Color Presents ARE WE THERE YET?! A Musical Road Trip hosted by Ann Harada.

Pack your bags! Live & In Color is taking a tour of the artists and pieces pushing the industry toward equity and inclusion. The evening will feature a roadmap of songs from Live & In Color's artistic community and will serve as a fundraiser to support the company's continued mission to develop commercially bound plays and musicals created by artists who exist within the intersections of underrepresented identities and center inclusion.
12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; City Springs Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; at Springer Opera House Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; at Springer Opera House Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

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

To paraphrase Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, when Mandela is good, it’s very, very good, and when it’s bad, it’s almost unwatchable.
Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; City Springs Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Laiona Michelle been in?

Laiona Michelle has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Laiona Michelle been in?

Laiona Michelle has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Laiona Michelle been nominated for?

Laiona Michelle has been nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play category at the Helen Hayes Awards for her performance in Yellowman.

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