Photo Flash: Tony Winner Nikki M. James Visits Broadway Artists Alliance

Tony Award winner and TV star Nikki M. James elated the students of Broadway Artists Alliance with her appearance last Thursday, July 28th. James won her Tony award in 2011 for the role of Nabulungi in Book of Mormon. BroadwayWorld has photos from her visit below!

Since James's Broadway debut in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, she has played iconic roles such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Dorothy Gale in The Wiz, and Eponine in the 2014 Broadway revival of LES MISERABLES. She captivated the students with witty remarks and generous advice about her performance career during her Q&A.

New Jersey native and first generation American, James always knew she wanted to be on stage. Recalling her countless trips into the city to see Broadway shows, she expressed her gratitude for her parents' endless support. She revealed how she began to grow her own signed Playbill and Headshots collection at a young age, waiting outside the stage door after every show for her favorite stars. This personal attachment to the portal between performer and audience member has carried over to her professional career, as she revealed that she still cherishes her stage door interactions. James recalled what it was like to be nominated for and to win a Tony, as well as her recent experiences in announcing the 2016 nominations in May and hosting the Creative Arts Tony Awards this June.

James likened her success to the flight of a bumblebee, first joking that they fly because no one told them they couldn't, and later elaborating that bumblebees have to work very hard to move their bodies with such small, fragile wings, and that they rarely move in a straight line as a result. Using this metaphor, James encouraged the students to pursue their dreams fearlessly and to keep working toward their goals, even if when they don't seem to be reaching them in the most direct way. In addition to her success on stage, James has appeared on The Blacklist, The Good Wife and Law and Order and can currently be seen on CBS's Brain Dead playing Rochelle Daudier.

Broadway Artists Alliance of NYC, founded with the goal of providing professional-level training to talented young artists, enlists the expertise of Broadway performers, Tony Award winners, and top industry professionals. Students enjoy a wide range of classes including vocal training, song interpretation, scene study, on camera technique, and various types of dance. BAA offers four Summer Intensive Sessions and one Winter Workshop for students ages 10-21, BAA Junior for students ages 6-10, and a College Audition Workshop for high school Juniors and Seniors who will be auditioning for Musical Theatre and Acting degree programs. For more information or to register for Fall and Winter Classes, visit www.broadwayartistsalliance.org.

Photo Credit: Laura McBride

Nikki M. James answering questions from the BAA students

Nikki M. James discussing her Broadway debut

Nikki M. James talking about her stage door experiences

Nikki M. James and the students of Broadway Artists Alliance

Nikki M. James joking with the BAA students

Nikki M. James talking about her Tony Award

Nikki M. James telling the Bumblebee Story

Nikki M. James

Nikki M. James and the students of BAA

Nikki M. James being silly with the BAA students