Audra McDonald
Date of Birth: July 03, 1970 (56)
Birth Place: Berlin, GERMANY
Latest News on Audra McDonald:
- Tony-Winners Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters & More Set for MPAC 2026-27 SeasonAug 18, 2026
- This RENT Cast Member Delivered Donuts to People Sleeping on the Streets in the Rush LineAug 18, 2026
- Photos: Go Inside The Festival Day 3 with Audra McDonald, Lauren Patten, Andrew Barth Feldman & MoreAug 17, 2026
BIO
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama. In addition to her Tony-winning performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill—the role that also served as the vehicle for her Olivier Award-nominated 2017 debut in London’s West End—she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden; Marie Christine (Tony nomination); Henry IV; 110 in the Shade (Tony nomination); Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed; and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Tony nomination).
A Juilliard-trained soprano, her opera credits include La voix humaine and Send at Houston Grand Opera, and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny at Los Angeles Opera, where the resulting recording earned her two Grammy Awards.
On television, she was seen by millions as the Mother Abbess in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! and played Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC’s Private Practice. She won an Emmy Award for her role as host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center and has received nominations for Wit, A Raisin in the Sun and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Having first appeared as Liz Lawrence on CBS’s The Good Wife, she stars in The Good Fight on Paramount+ as well as in Spectrum’s pandemic-themed drama, The Bite.
On film, she has appeared in Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.
Her upcoming film projects comprise Higher Ground’s Rustin and FilmNation’s Down Low. McDonald has issued five solo albums on the Nonesuch label as well as Sing Happy with the New York Philharmonic on Decca Gold. She also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. A founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights, her favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
See how Audra McDonald connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Audra McDonald from another Broadway star or creative.
Audra McDonald
Connection
Awards and Nominations
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Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Audra McDonald, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, 110 in the Shad
Audra McDonald, 110 in the Shade
Audra McDonald, 110 in the Shade
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
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Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald, Marie Christine
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Audra McDonald, Marie Christine
Audra McDonald, Ragtime
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Audra McDonald, Ragtime
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Audra McDonald, Master Class
Videos
Video: Impressionist Recreates Iconic RAGTIME Lyric With Broadway Stars
by Michael Major - 2026-05-18 14:45:07
Video: New Trailer Teases Extended Audra McDonald Concert Featuring 'Rose's Turn'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-17 13:31:36
Video: Exclusive Clip of Renée Elise Goldsberry SATISIFED Doc Highlights Early Days of Ham4Ham
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-24 10:00:20
Video: HBO Previews Season 3 Finale of THE GILDED AGE in Tense New Sneak Peek
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-08-04 15:21:53
Video: Morgan Spector Recalls Breakout Role in Broadway's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-31 11:11:30
News
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown will kick off its new season with a concert by Jessica Vosk, followed by touring productions of WAITRESS, THE MUSIC MAN, MYSTIC PIZZA and concerts by Bernadette Peters.
by Michael Gioia - Aug 18, 2026
During the 'Rent' 30th anniversary reunion at The Festival, 13 of the 15 original Broadway cast members looked back on the show's early days, including how fans would line up in droves to score discounted rush tickets.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 17, 2026
The Festival triumphantly concluded their inaugural weekend at Kingston’s Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue. Produced by Joshua Saltman and David B. Schwartz, the first-of-its kind celebration of Broadway’s greatest hits and brightest stars welcomed 2,875 attendees from 48 of the 50 states and featured 165 on stage performers across more than 30 programs over three days, including 30 musicians, 14 ensemble members, and 13 apprentices. At the end of the weekend, it was revealed that The Festival will return in 2027.
by - Aug 18, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 18, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Michael Gioia - Aug 17, 2026
During a performance at The Festival, Norbert Leo Butz serenaded fans with a performance of 'Fight the Dragons' from the 2013 Broadway musical 'Big Fish' — but wanted to get something off his chest beforehand.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 17, 2026
Over the weekend, The Festival, a three-day outdoor event taking place at Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue in Kingston, New York, luanched as a first-of-its-kind celebration of Broadway’s greatest hits and brightest stars. Watch a video recap here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 13, 2026
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts revealed single tickets go on sale for all 2026-2027 Beyond Broadway, plus additional shows in August. The season features Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, and Audra McDonald.
by Ben Waterhouse - Aug 10, 2026
Creating a successful show on Broadway has a myriad of factors that all need to go right. There’s a strength of material that’s necessary, as well as strength of performances. Awards voters and critics need to respond well to it. But to quote the Commercial Theatre Institute “the only thing that will keep your show going for a long run is word of mouth”. But what does that mean?
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 5, 2026
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has revealed its upcoming Fall/Spring season, including a reunion concert of the 2016 Broadway production of Shuffle Along, plus more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 4, 2026
The Library of Congress will present a season marking America's semiquincentennial and centennials for Miles Davis and John Coltrane, featuring Audra McDonald, Dianne Reeves and seven new commissions at the Coolidge Auditorium.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 30, 2026
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts will include 21 shows in Houston Theater Week, offering buy-one-get-one-free tickets across its 2026-2027 season lineup.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2026
All new principal cast members will join the Broadway cast of Hadestown in September, including Norbert Leo Butz, Amber Iman, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Kayko, and Geno Segers. Learn more here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2026
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts has added second performances to the 2026-2027 Beyond Broadway season, featuring Audra McDonald, Tituss Burgess and Norbert Leo Butz.
by - Jul 17, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 17, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 16, 2026
Single tickets are now on sale for The Soraya's 2026-27 season, a 44-performance lineup featuring eight debuts, including Sutton Foster, Snarky Puppy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Audra McDonald, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 13, 2026
The Festival has released the initial programming schedule for the three-day outdoor event taking place at Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue in Kingston, New York.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 2, 2026
Single tickets for the San Francisco Symphony's 2026–27 season are set to go on sale, with newly added programs including a memorial concert for Michael Tilson Thomas, Lang Lang in Recital, and Carmina burana.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 2, 2026
Second Street Players' production of GYPSY will feature costumes from the 1993 Bette Midler TV movie, designed by Bob Mackie, and from the 2024 Broadway revival designed by Toni-Leslie James.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 1, 2026
The San Francisco Symphony will present a memorial concert honoring Michael Tilson Thomas, featuring Audra McDonald, Yuja Wang, and others, with tributes, archival footage, and performances.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2026
Pretzel Theater Company will present Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World at Allens Lane Art Center in Philadelphia, marking director Josh Tull's debut with the company.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Audra McDonald has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.
Audra McDonald has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Audra McDonald's first West End show was Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill which opened in 2017
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Porgy and Bess , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie) (Drama Desk Awards) for 110 in the Shad, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Featured Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for A Raisin In The Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Marie Christine, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Marie Christine, Best Featured Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Master Class.
Audra McDonald has won numerous prestigious Broadway awards throughout her career. Her accolades include Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for Gypsy, and multiple awards for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, including Best Leading Actress in a Play from BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Play from the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play from the Tony Awards. For her work in Porgy and Bess, McDonald received Best Leading Actress in a Musical from BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards, Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical from the Tony Awards. The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess also earned her recognition across these same award organizations. Additional honors include Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie) from the Drama Desk Awards for 110 in the Shade, Best Featured Actress in a Play from BroadwayWorld Awards for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play from the Drama Desk Awards for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Raisin in the Sun, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play from the Tony Awards for A Raisin in the Sun. McDonald has also received Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for Marie Christine, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical from the Tony Awards for Ragtime, and a Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League Awards.
