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Joaquina Kalukango Headshot

Joaquina Kalukango

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.

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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

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STAGE CREDITS

The Heart
[Off-Broadway]
2026
Marianne Lamar [Replacement]
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
Performer
Godspell Godspell
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
Performer (Understudy)

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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 Kalukango, The 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

THE HEART to Extend at Roundabout Theatre Company Photo
THE HEART to Extend at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 30, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company announced a one-week extension of the critically acclaimed new musical THE HEART through December at the Laura Pels Theatre off-Broadway.
Review Roundup: THE HEART Opens Off-Broadway with Joaquina Kalukango, Heidi Blickenst Photo
Review Roundup: THE HEART Opens Off-Broadway with Joaquina Kalukango, Heidi Blickenstaff, Drew Gehling and More
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2026

The critics are weighing in on The Heart, the new Off-Broadway musical directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley. Starring Joaquina Kalukango, Heidi Blickenstaff, Drew Gehling and more, the production officially opens tonight at the Laura Pels Theatre, where it runs through December 6. Find out what the critics are saying!
Video: Watch Highlights from THE HEART Off-Broadway Photo
Video: Watch Highlights from THE HEART Off-Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 29, 2026

Now running at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre is The Heart, Check out a first look at the cast in action in this video!
THE HEART to Open at Roundabout Theatre Company
by Rachel Stone - Oct 26, 2026

THE HEART, a musical based on Maylis de Kerangal's novel, will make its New York premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company's Laura Pels Theatre. The production features music and lyrics by Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath, with direction by Christopher Ashley.
Video: Watch 'Keep Up' from THE HEART Photo
Video: Watch 'Keep Up' from THE HEART
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 13, 2026

Previews are officially underway for The Heart, which will open officially on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, December 6, 2026. Check out a clip of 'Keep Up' in rehearsals in this video.
Photos: First Look at Roundabout's THE HEART Photo
Photos: First Look at Roundabout's THE HEART
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 13, 2026

Previews are officially underway for The Heart, which will open officially on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, December 6, 2026. Check out a first look at the cast in action here.
Photos: Bill Russell Memoir STILL, BILL to Arrive With Broadway Book Events Photo
Photos: Bill Russell Memoir STILL, BILL to Arrive With Broadway Book Events
by Rachel Stone - Oct 5, 2026

Tony nominee Bill Russell releases a new memoir chronicling his journey from Wyoming to Broadway, with book events featuring theatre stars Alice Ripley, Erin Davie, and Joe DiPietro.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE… to Celebrate 23rd Anniversary at Green Room 42 Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE… to Celebrate 23rd Anniversary at Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2026

The monthly cabaret series spotlighting Broadway and Off-Broadway standbys, understudies, and alternates will feature performers from TITANIQUE, SIX THE MUSICAL, HEATHERS THE MUSICAL, and other productions.
Photos: Inside Rehearsals with the Cast of THE HEART Photo
Photos: Inside Rehearsals with the Cast of THE HEART
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 29, 2026

Rehearsals are officially underway for the New York premiere production of The Heart with book and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, music and lyrics by Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath, music supervision by Ian Eisendrath, choreography by Mandy Moore and direction by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley based on Maylis de Kerangal's novel Réparer les vivants. Check out photos here!
Video: THE HEART Finds Its Pulse in Rehearsals- Meet the Company Photo
Video: THE HEART Finds Its Pulse in Rehearsals- Meet the Company
by Sam Anctil - Sep 22, 2026

Next up at Roundabout Theatre Company is the New York premiere production of The Heart with book and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, music and lyrics by Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath. Watch in this video as the cast and creative chat more about what audiences can expect from the new musical.
Jessica Vosk, Mandy Gonzalez, and More Set For Arts Ignite 20th Anniversary Illuminat Photo
Jessica Vosk, Mandy Gonzalez, and More Set For Arts Ignite 20th Anniversary Illuminate Gala
by Stephi Wild - Sep 22, 2026

Arts Ignite has announced the performers and presenters of their 20th Anniversary Gala event, entitled Illuminate, taking place next month. Learn more here.
All the Off-Broadway Shows to See in Fall 2026 - A Complete Guide Photo
All the Off-Broadway Shows to See in Fall 2026 - A Complete Guide
by Sidney Paterra - Sep 16, 2026

BroadwayWorld has your official fall 2026 Off-Broadway preview, a complete guide to everything opening Off-Broadway! See West End transfers, stars in play revivals, multiple world premieres and more.
Photos: Meet the Company of Roundabout's THE HEART Photo
Photos: Meet the Company of Roundabout's THE HEART
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 11, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the New York premiere production of The Heart with book and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, music and lyrics by Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, choreography by Mandy Moore and direction by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley based on Maylis de Kerangal's novel Réparer les vivants. The cast just met the press and you can check out photos here!
DEATH BECOMES HER, A WALK ON THE MOON, and More Set for AT THIS PERFORMANCE... at Gre Photo
DEATH BECOMES HER, A WALK ON THE MOON, and More Set for AT THIS PERFORMANCE... at Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Aug 21, 2026

Stephen DeAngelis will host the 199th edition of his monthly series, featuring standbys and understudies from DEATH BECOMES HER, A WALK ON THE MOON, and MONTE CRISTO: A NEW MUSICAL.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 21, 2026- Meet the Cast of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY on B Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 21, 2026- Meet the Cast of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY on Broadway and More
by - Aug 21, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  August 21, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Joaquina Kalukango, Heidi Blickenstaff, Drew Gehling and More Join THE HEART at Round Photo
Joaquina Kalukango, Heidi Blickenstaff, Drew Gehling and More Join THE HEART at Roundabout
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company announced the complete cast and design team for THE HEART, featuring Joaquina Kalukango and Heidi Blickenstaff, at the Laura Pels Theatre.
Bill Russell to Release Memoir 'Still, Bill: Gay Adventures From Cowboyland To Broadw Photo
Bill Russell to Release Memoir 'Still, Bill: Gay Adventures From Cowboyland To Broadway'
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2026

Two-time Tony nominee Bill Russell has written a memoir chronicling his path from a South Dakota upbringing to a career as a Broadway writer, with a New York book signing planned to mark its release.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to The Green Room 42 With Broadway Standbys Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to The Green Room 42 With Broadway Standbys
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 8, 2026

Stephen DeAngelis' monthly series At This Performance... will return to The Green Room 42, featuring standbys, understudies, and alternates from current Broadway productions.
Lillias White and More to Star in MOTHER. DAUGHTER. FATHER. SON. at Adirondack Theatr Photo
Lillias White and More to Star in MOTHER. DAUGHTER. FATHER. SON. at Adirondack Theatre Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 11, 2026

Adirondack Theatre Festival revealed the full cast for the world premiere of Douglas Lyons' Mother. Daughter. Father. Son., with Tony winner Lillias White.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE… Will Return to The Green Room 42 in May Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE… Will Return to The Green Room 42 in May
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2026

Stephen DeAngelis will present the 196th edition of AT THIS PERFORMANCE…, spotlighting understudies from RAGTIME, BEACHES, THE WILD PARTY, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and GODDESS at The Green Room 42.
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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 theater awards throughout her career. She received the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Paradise Square. She also won Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Slave Play. Additionally, she earned the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play award at the Helen Hayes Awards for The Mountaintop. Early in her career, she received the Outstanding Debut Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for Hurt Village.

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