Broadway's Dionne Figgins, co-founder of Broadway Serves, wanted to make an impact within the Broadway community raising the volume up on the community's many voices. All day today, Broadway's most fantastic and inspiring women will #KeepSharingTheMic as Dionne described in a recent Instagram post, she "invited a group of extraordinary Black Women of Broadway to take over the Instagram accounts of some of Broadway's most notable White female stars."
Throughout the day, the incredible women will have conversations which you can find more info about below. Scroll through and be sure to tune in to the upcoming talks!
Dionne was correct - a marvelous community of women are being spotlighted today. We wanted to further highlight their achievements and provide their handles so you can give everyone a follow today, tomorrow and in the future. Read on!
Torya Beard (Taking over Idina Menzel's Instagram)
Torya Beard has been with A Broader Way for close to 10 years and is currently the organization's Executive Director. She is a director, choreographer and producer. The mission of A Broader Way is to amplify the power of young women through the arts.
Tracee Beazer Barrett (Taking over Laura Osnes' Instagram)
Tracee Beazer Barrett is the definition of one of Broadway's great triple threats. Her impressive Broadway credits include Hairspray, Good Vibrations, The Wedding Singer, Memphis, Holler If Ya Hear Me, Honeymoon in Vegas, Something Rotten! and Frozen.
Tanya Birl (Taking over Laura Benanti's Instagram)
Tanya Birl has been a fantastic Broadway mainstay for years. She has graced Broadway stages in Memphis, Finian's Rainbow, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, On the Town and ALSO assistant choreographing Chaplin with Warren Carlyle.
Bahiyah Gaines (Taking over Sarah O'Gleby's Instagram)
Guests at Broadway's Moulin Rouge will see the bright light that is Bahiyah in the show's ensemble. The extraordinary dancer that she is, Bahiyah has an incredible list of Broadway credits including Chicago, The Color Purple, The Little Mermaid, Pal Joey, Rock of Ages, Memphis, Evita, After Midnight and On the Twentieth Century.
Courtney Daniels (Taking over Jennifer Damiano's Instagram)
Funny lady Courtney Daniels is an actress and comedian. The AMDA and Upright's Citizens Brigade grad appeared Off Broadway in Olay Live! opposite Ana Gasteyer as well as Mama Bear / Mama Ogre / and Dragon in the National Tour of Shrek.
Earon Dianna (Taking over Rachel Estabrook's Instagram)
The lovely Earon DiAnna is a hair and makeup designer who most recently was the wig/hair and makeup designer for Dallas Theater Center's Little Women. She had also worked on the hair crew for Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera as well as the Broadway productions of Sweat and Once on This Island.
Dionne Figgins (Taking over Betsy Struxness' Instagram)
Today's special event is with gratitude to Dionne and her inspiration to bring Broadway's best together. Dionne is a force. She appeared on Broadway in Hot Feet, Memphis and Motown as well as serving as assistant choreographer alongside Edgar Godineaux on Broadway's Leap of Faith to show choreographer Sergio Trujillo.
Asmeret Ghebremichael (Taking over Sutton Foster's Instagram)
The astounding Asmeret has been seen on Broadway, the West End, Off-Broadway and television. A true triple threat with decades of experience. Asmeret appeared on Broadway in Footloose, Wicked, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Elf, and The Book of Mormon. On the West End, she played Lorell Robinson in Dreamgirls She shares the mic today with Sutton Foster with whom she shared the stage with in a magnificent portrayal as Nickie in the Sweet Charity's revival at The New Group.
Ari Groover (Taking over Ali Stroker's Instagram)
What CAN'T Ari do?! She is a singer, actress, dancer, DJ, choreographer. Most recently she appeared Off-Broadway as Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors and now joins the cast of Tina on Broadway as Alline after having appeared in Holler If Ya Hear Me and Head over Heels.
LaTrisa Harper (Taking over Kate Rockwell's Instagram)
The wonderful LaTrisa Harper has appeared in some of Broadway's best shows such as The Lion King and The Color Purple as well as the National Tour of The Color Purple and TWO National Tours of Motown The Musical where she was also the show's assistant Dance Captain.
Sasha Hutchings (Taking over Morgan James' Instagram)
Last year, the sensational Sasha Hutchings covered not one, not two but three fabulous stars in the recent revival of Oklahoma! understudying Laurey, Ado Annie as well as the Lead Dancer for the Dream Ballet. She has appeared in so many Broadway shows including Memphis, Motown The Musical, Rocky, Hamilton and My Fair Lady.
Dana Ingraham (Taking over Shoshana Bean's Instagram)
The dazzling Dana Ingraham is also a co-founder of Broadway Serves. She has appeared on Broadway in Hot Feet, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, Motown The Musical - as well as the show's national tour. Most recently, she was assistant choreographer for Off-Broadway's Emojiland.
L Morgan Lee (Taking over Julia Murney's Instagram)
The amazing L Morgan Lee is a Lucille Lortel Award nominee for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her work in the highly acclaimed Drama Desk and Drama Critics Circle Best Musical A Strange Loop. According to her website, she is "the first openly trans actor to originate a role in a Pulitzer Prize winning show."
Valisia LeKae (Taking over Sierra Boggess' Instagram)
The astounding Valisia Lekae has appeared on Broadway in The Threepenny Opera, 110 in the Shade, Ragtime, The Book of Mormon and the sensational Diana Ross in Motown. She is an ovarian cancer survivor and newly back on Instagram "sharing the light, love and my truth."
Zonya Love (Taking over Patti Murin's Instagram)
A spectacular MFA Grad from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Zonya Love has appeared in Broadway's The Color Purple as well as the National Tour of Avenue Q. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, on television in "America's Got Talent," "Smash," and "The David Letterman Show." She has also been a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices, appearing on their album "Great Joy II."
Kimberly Marable (Taking over Betsy Wolfe's Instagram)
Kimberly Marable also serves as a co-founder of Broadway Serves. Most recently, audiences have witnessed Kimberly's incredible work in Broadway's Hadestown in the ensemble but also where she covers Persephone. She has also appeared on Broadway in The Lion King and Sister Act and the National Tours of Dreamgirls and The Book of Mormon.
Aurelia Michael (Taking over Eden Espinosa's Instagram)
The talented Aurelia Michael has most recently appeared on Broadway in the ensemble of Summer She is an actress, an image consultant and coach. Aurelia has also authored the book 15 Minutes of F.A.M.E.: Faithfully Advancing Myself Everyday.
Vasthy Mompoint (Taking over Caissie Levy's Instagram)
The multi-talented Vasthy Mompoint has an extensive list of fabulous Broadway credits comprised of Good Vibrations, Hot Feet, Mary Poppins, Ghost The Musical, Soul Doctor, Rocky, SpongeBob SquarePants and most recently The Prom. Take a look at this Instagram post to find out where all of her outstanding opening night looks have come from - it's very inspiring. On top of that, she's also the owner of Broadway Babysitters!
Sydney Morton (Taking over Natalie Weiss' Instagram)
A musical theatre grad from the University of Michigan, Sydney Morton has had a stellar career on Broadway and television! She has appeared on Broadway in Memphis, Evita and American Psycho. She starred as Alex Owens in the National Tour of Flashdance the Musical. Most recently, she has appeared in the television series' "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker," "Manifest" and "She's Gotta Have It."
Valarie Pettiford (Taking over Cady Huffman's Instagram)
Spectacular, fierce, and extraordinary Valarie Pettiford is one of our Broadway greats. On Broadway, her credits include Sophisticated Ladies, Grind, Big Deal and a starring role in Fosse, the 1999 Broadway revue which won the Tony featuring Bob Fosse's many iconic dance numbers. Valarie is now involved with The Verdon Fosse Legacy presenting master classes as an incredible dancer who worked with Mr. Fosse herself. On screen, she has appeared in the television series' "The Family Business" and "The Baxters."
Tonya Pinkins (Taking over Donna Murphy's Instagram)
The divine Tonya Pinkins is a Tony winner and a Broadway star of stage and screen. She made her Broadway debut in Merrily We Roll Along and followed that up with her Tony winning performance in Jelly's Last Jam. She's been seen in Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Play On!, The Wild Party, Radio Golf, A Time to Kill, Holler If Ya Hear Me and portraying the title role in the original Caroline, or Change. Her television credits include "Madam Secretary," "God Friended Me," "Fear the Walking Dead" and "Gotham."
Karine Plantadit (Taking over Kristin Chenoweth's Instagram)
Karine Plantadit has been captivating Broadway audiences for decades with her unbelievably thrilling dance moments. She has appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, Saturday Night Fever, Movin' Out, Come Fly Away and most recently After Midnight. On film you might have seen her in Across the Universe, Chicago and Isn't It Romantic.
Destinee Rea (Taking over Elizabeth Stanley's Instagram)
Fabulous Destinee Rea can most recently be seen as an Ikette in Broadway's Tina. She has also appeared on Broadway in The Book of Mormon and Amélie. Regionally, Destinee has portrayed Dorothy in The Wiz, Sarah in Ragtime and Lorell in Dreamgirls.
Zakiya Young (Taking over Kelli O'Hara's Instagram)
Zakiya Young has appeared on Broadway in The Little Mermaid. Her fantastic television resume is extensive with "Mozart in the Jungle," "Orange Is the New Black," and "Iron Fist." Fans of Kate Wetherhead and Andrew Keenan-Bolger's web series "Submissions Only" will know her as Erica Houston.
