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Merle Dandridge

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BIO

Having made an indelible mark on stage, television, and video games, Merle Dandridge continues to shine on the small screen, starring in Oprah Winfrey Network’s hit series “Greenleaf” which returned for its fourth season on September 3rd. She previously starred in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy”, CW’s “Starcrossed”, and NBC’s “The Night Shift”. Merle currently is set to star as a series regular opposite Kaley Couco in HBO Max’s upcoming thriller drama series, “The Flight Attendant”.


Born in Japan, raised in Nebraska and schooled in Chicago at Roosevelt University, Dandridge began her acting career with leading roles on Broadway in Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Rent (Joanne), Aida (Aida), Tarzan(Kala) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Girl, Disciple). Most recently, she played the role of Papa Ge, the sly demon of death, in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Ahrens and Flaherrty's "Once on This Island", for which she received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. Dandridge is the first woman to ever play this role, completely reinventing the character with her fearless portrayal. She has toured the U.S. and Europe six times and has been featured in several regional theatre productions (including multiple stints at The Geffen Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse). She has also performed at The Hollywood Bowl and at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Dandridge has voiced several videogame characters and worked alongside Neil Druckmann in “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” and starred as Marlene in “The Last Of Us”. She has also voiced various character in “Dota 2”, Alyx Vance in “Half-Life 2”, and Katherine Collins in the Award-winning independent video game “Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture” for which she won the 2016 BAFTA for “Best Performer”.
In her Nebraska hometown, Merle has been inducted into the Hall of Fame where she spends time giving workshops, speeches, performances and participating in projects to raise arts awareness for the school district she grew up in. In Los Angeles, where she currently resides, she serves on the Board of Directors of The Geffen Playhouse and lends her voice and support to Harvest Home LA which provides housing and holistic support to homeless pregnant woman.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Concert Productions Concert, 2020
Pharaoh


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Persephone [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2017
Papa Ge

[Replacement]


[Replacement]

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2015
The Lady of the Lake


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Kala


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
The Lady of the Lake [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2000
Disciple

Soul Girl

Disciple

Soul Girl

Mary Magdalene (Understudy)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Aida [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Joanne Jefferson [Replacement]

[Replacement]

Movies

Nothing But the Truth
[ 2008 ] Celia
Block Party
[ 2022 ] Crystal Maitland

TV Shows

Greenleaf
Grace Greenleaf
Sons of Anarchy
Rita Roosevelt
The Newsroom
Maria Guerrero
The Night Shift
Gwen Gaskin
Secret Level
Liz Mutton
Station 19
[ 2022-2024 ] Fire Chief Natasha RossNatasha Ross
Alice's Wonderland Bakery
[ 2023-2024 ] The Silver QueenSilver Queen

Videos

News


SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES and CREDITORS Set Audible Release Dates
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2025

Audible Theater and TOGETHER concluded their collaboration at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City. Learn more about their upcoming audible releases!
Lillias White Joins BROADWAY VOICES UNITE Benefit Concert
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 17, 2025

Tony Award-winning performer Lillias White has joined the upcoming Broadway Voices Unite Benefit Concert, which will take place June 22 in Santa Monica, CA.
Video: Myra Molloy Sings 'Flowers' in HADESTOWN on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 6, 2025

You can now get a first look at Myra Molloy singing 'Flowers' in Hadestown on Broadway! Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets here!
Photos: Ali Louis Bourzgui and Myra Molloy in HADESTOWN on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2025

You can now get a first look at photos of Ali Louis Bourzgui and Myra Molloy as Orpheus and Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway. See photos here and learn more about the production!
Video: Make-a-Wish Recipient Makes Broadway Debut in HADESTOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2025

Last week, Make-A-Wish recipient, Crowe Zilvitis, made their Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical in a special walk on role. Get a behind the scenes look in this video!
Lana Gordon to Reprise Her Role as 'Persephone' in HADESTOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 9, 2025

Lana Gordon will rejoin the cast of Hadestown on Broadway as ‘Persephone’ starting in June. Learn more about Hadestown and see how to purchase tickets here!
Phillip Boykin and KC Dela Cruz to Join HADESTOWN Tonight
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2025

Phillip Boykin will rejoin the cast of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical as ‘Hades’ and current ensemble member KC Dela Cruz will take over the role of ‘Eurydice,’ in Hadestown on Broadway. Learn more about the cast here!
Andrew Rannells, Anika Larsen and More Join Earth Day Concert in Times Square
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 10, 2025

The Broadway Green Alliance and Times Square Alliance have just announced updates for the Broadway Celebrates Earth Day concert. We have the full lineup here!
Ali Louis Bourzgui and Myra Molloy to Join HADESTOWN on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2025

Ali Louis Bourzgui and Myra Molloy will join the cast of Hadestown on Broadway. Learn more about the cast and see how to purchase tickets to the production here!
Video: Hailey Kilgore Performs 'Wait For Me II' in HADESTOWN on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2025

You can now get a first look at Tony Nominee Hailey Kilgore as ‘Eurydice’ performing “Wait For Me II” in Hadestown on Broadway. See the footage here!
Videos You Missed This Week: PURPOSE, OPERATION MINCEMEAT, and More
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 21, 2025

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! 2025 has officially arrived and the second half of the 2024-25 Broadway season is very much underway. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending March 21, 2025 with videos from Purpose, Operation Mincemeat, and more!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 21, 2025
by - Mar 21, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 21, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: Merle Dandridge Performs 'Living It Up on Top' as Persephone in HADESTOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 20, 2025

You can now get a first look video of Merle Dandridge as ‘Persephone’ performing ‘Living It Up on Top’ in Hadestown Broadway. Check out the video here! 
Video: Daniel Breaker as 'Hermes' Performs 'Way Down Hadestown' in HADESTOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 7, 2025

You can now get a first look at Daniel Breaker as ‘Hermes’ performing ‘Way Down Hadestown’ in Hadestown on Broadway. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets!
Photos: Inside BTC's 2nd Annual BUILDING THE CHANGE Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 5, 2025

On Monday, BTC held its 2nd Annual “Building the Change” Gala at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The evening honored Phylicia Rashad. See photos from the event here!
Photos: See Hailey Kilgore, Carlos Valdes and More in HADESTOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2025

You can now get a first look at photos of the new Broadway cast of Hadestown, starring Haley Kilgore, Carlos Valdes and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Shaina Taub, Stark Sands and More to Join Broadway Celebrates Earth Day
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

Broadway will once again raise its voice for the planet as the Broadway Celebrates Earth Day concert returns for the fourth year, featuring artists including Shaina Taub, Stark Sands and more. Learn more!
Video: Carlos Valdes Performs 'Epic II' as Orpheus in HADESTOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

You can now get a first look of Carlos Valdes as ‘Orpheus’ performing ‘Epic II’ in Hadestown on Broadway. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Watch Merle Dandridge Sing 'We Raise Our Cups' in HADESTOWN
by Michael Major - Feb 25, 2025

Watch a first look at Merle Dandridge singing 'We Raise Our Cups' in Hadestown on Broadway. She joined the cast as Persephone last week, alongside Daniel Breaker as Hades. See the video now!
PHOTOS: Las estrellas se unen en un concierto solidario por la esperanza y la justicia
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Jan 21, 2025

Dirigido y coreografiado en Nueva York por Luis Salgado, el evento destacó el talento y la representación latina en apoyo a causas sociales

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Merle Dandridge been in?

Merle Dandridge has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Merle Dandridge been in?

Merle Dandridge has not appeared in the West End.

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