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Joaquina Kalukango

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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

STAGE CREDITS

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)

Movies

Chained for Life
[ 2018 ] Michelle
One Night in Miami...
[ 2020 ] Betty X

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 KalukangoThe 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


AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from GYPSY; MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL; & JULIET; OH, MARY!; HADESTOWN; and more.
Photos: Backstage at AN EVENING WITH JOAQUINA KALUKANGO at 54 Below Photo
Photos: Backstage at AN EVENING WITH JOAQUINA KALUKANGO at 54 Below
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 19, 2025

54 BELOW welcomed back Broadway leading lady Joaquina Kalukango on February 12, 13, & 15 at 7pm. See photos from the event here! 
Photos: NYTW's 2025 Gala Honors Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango, and Greg Nobile Photo
Photos: NYTW's 2025 Gala Honors Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango, and Greg Nobile
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 11, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop just celebrated its NYTW 2025 Gala, honoring Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Check out photos from inside the big day.
Review: Segerstrom Center's Cabaret Series Welcomes Broadway Talents to the OC Photo
Review: Segerstrom Center's Cabaret Series Welcomes Broadway Talents to the OC
by Michael Quintos - Feb 8, 2025

For two weekends in a row in January 2025, Segerstrom Center for the Arts presented some powerhouse talents from the world of Broadway to their enjoyable Cabaret Series. First up was the returning Jason Robert Brown, the Tony Award-winning composer of musicals such as PARADE and THE LAST FIVE YEARS joined by a new special guest, Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose. The following weekend, the Samueli Theatre then opened its doors to Tony nominee Kerry Butler’s hilarious one-woman comedy cabaret 'Breaking Broadway.'
Joaquina Kalukango & More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week Photo
Joaquina Kalukango & More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 7, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Joaquina Kalukango and many more! See the full lineup!
See Joaquina Kalukango, Kerry Ellis & More in February at 54 Below Photo
See Joaquina Kalukango, Kerry Ellis & More in February at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 31, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See the full lineup featuring stars including Joaquina Kalukango, Kerry Ellis and more. Learn more.
New York Theatre Workshop Announces Additional Performers And Presenters For Their 20 Photo
New York Theatre Workshop Announces Additional Performers And Presenters For Their 2025 Annual Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop has announced additional performers and presenters for the NYTW 2025 Gala, honoring Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile.
BWW Q&A: Lee Siegel on BRAMPTON CONCERT BAND & THE JAZZ MECHANICS at Brampton On Stag Photo
BWW Q&A: Lee Siegel on BRAMPTON CONCERT BAND & THE JAZZ MECHANICS at Brampton On Stage/The Rose
by Joshua Wright - Jan 30, 2025

Experience 'A Love Letter to New York' — a dazzling celebration of the Big Apple through music! Acclaimed Broadway star Lee Siegel joins forces with the Brampton Concert Band and The Jazz Mechanics for an afternoon of melodies and magic. Immerse yourself in the spirit of New York as the show takes you from jazz classics like Orange Colored Sky and In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning to Broadway hits from Les Misérables, West Side Story, Crazy for You, Jesus Christ Superstar, and more. Don’t miss this unique collaboration — it’s like a trip to Broadway, right here in Brampton!
54 Below to Celebrate Black History Month With Sapphira Cristál, Joaquina Kalukango Photo
54 Below to Celebrate Black History Month With Sapphira Cristál, Joaquina Kalukango & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 21, 2025

54 BELOW wll honor the Black performers, producers, and artists who are vital members of our artistic community this Black History Month. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango & Greg Nobile to be Honored at NYTW's 2025 Gala Photo
Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango & Greg Nobile to be Honored at NYTW's 2025 Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 18, 2024

New York Theatre Workshop's 2025 Gala will honor Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Learn more and see how to attend.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns to the Green Room 42 Photo
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns to the Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2024

Stephen DeAngelis will continue his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with the next edition in his monthly residency of AT THIS PERFORMANCE… 
Joaquina Kalukango to Make 54 Below Solo Debut in February Photo
Joaquina Kalukango to Make 54 Below Solo Debut in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2024

Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango is set to make her solo debut at 54 Below, showcasing her vocal talents in an intimate setting. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Joaquina Kalukango Will Star as Gloria Gaynor in Lifetime Biopic Photo
Joaquina Kalukango Will Star as Gloria Gaynor in Lifetime Biopic
by Stephi Wild - Oct 30, 2024

Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango is set to star as Gloria Gaynor in the upcoming Lifetime biopic, 'I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story'. Lance Gross also has joined the cast in the role of Gaynor’s husband, Linwood Simon.
Photos: Chilina Kennedy, Jenn Colella And More Turn Out for WILD ABOUT YOU Album Rele Photo
Photos: Chilina Kennedy, Jenn Colella And More Turn Out for WILD ABOUT YOU Album Release
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 12, 2024

Center Stage Records and Keaka Productions celebrated the release of Wild About You – World Premiere Recording: Deluxe Edition at Power Station on Sunday. See photos from the event.
Nichelle Lewis Replaces Joaquina Kalukango in RAGTIME at City Center Photo
Nichelle Lewis Replaces Joaquina Kalukango in RAGTIME at City Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 10, 2024

Nichelle Lewis will join the cast of the Annual Gala Presentation of Ragtime as Sarah. She replaces previously announced Joaquina Kalukango. See who else is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
What's Opening Off-Broadway in Fall 2024 Photo
What's Opening Off-Broadway in Fall 2024
by Sidney Paterra - Oct 2, 2024

Check out a full list of what's opening Off-Broadway this fall! Productions will star big names including Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Krakowski, and many more! See what Off-Broadway has to offer and check out BroadwayWorld's complete list.
Center Stage Records and Keaka Productions Present WILD ABOUT YOU World Premiere Rec Photo
Center Stage Records and Keaka Productions Present WILD ABOUT YOU World Premiere Recording: Deluxe Edition
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 28, 2024

The WILD ABOUT YOU Deluxe Edition, featuring music and lyrics by Chilina Kennedy, is out today. The album includes two new tracks with performances by Eric McCormack, Ashley Loren, and Troy Iwata.
Review: Tony Award Winner Joaquina Kalukango Makes Segerstrom Center Cabaret Debut Photo
Review: Tony Award Winner Joaquina Kalukango Makes Segerstrom Center Cabaret Debut
by Michael Quintos - Sep 24, 2024

Blessed with jawdroppingly gorgeous vocals, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango—accompanied by music director Michael Orland—wows in her West Coast solo concert debut at OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa to kick off their 2024-2025 Cabaret Series.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 20, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 20, 2024
by - Sep 20, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 20, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III & Rodd Cyrus Join RAGTIME at City Center Photo
Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III & Rodd Cyrus Join RAGTIME at City Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 19, 2024

Additional cast members will be joining the Annual Gala Presentation Ragtime at New York City Center, including Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III and more. Ragtime follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the turn of the 20th century. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
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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 awards, including Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Paradise Square. She also received the Outstanding Actress in a Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in Slave Play. Additionally, she won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for The Mountaintop, and was recognized with the Outstanding Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Hurt Village.

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