Audra McDonald

Origins of a GoddessBorn July 3rd, 1970Berlin, Germany

Anna Kathryn & Stanley McDonald Jr.

Raised in Fresno, CA

Studied Classical Voice at Julliard, graduating in 1993

Stage CreditsCarousel (1994)

Carrie Pipperidge

Master ClassSharon Graham

RagtimeSarah

A Raisin in the SunRuth Younger

110 in the ShadeLizzie Curry

Twelfth NightOlivia

Porgy and BessBess

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and GrillBillie Holiday

Other RolesAnnie (1999)Grace Farrell

Wit (2001)Susie

Private Practice (2007-2013)Dr. Naomi Bennett

The Sound of Music: Live! (2013)Mother Abbess

Rickie and the Flash (2015)

Beauty and the Beast (2017)Wardrobe

Breaking BarriersAudra McDonald is widely known for

breaking down barriers for color-blind casting. Her roles in Carousel and Annie, to

name but two.

Kennedy Center Honors

(2011)In 2011, McDonald performed at the

Kennedy Center Honoree induction of Broadway legend Barbara Cook alongside actresses Glenn Close, Sutton Foster, Patti

Lupone, and Kelli O’Hara. McDonald was the closing soloist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZQBACn2SdI

Accolades6 Drama Desk Award Nominations

-5 Wins

6 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations-5 Wins

8 Tony Award Nominations- 6 Wins

Record BreakerWith her 6th Tony Award win for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, McDonald broke the

record for competitive Tony Wins, beating Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris.

McDonald also remains the only person to win all four acting categories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKjXKM1a5RQ

“I used to practice Tony speeches in my bathroom with my hairbrush”