Joaquina Kalukango

Joaquina Kalukango
Born
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
EducationJuilliard School (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active2011–present

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.[1][2] In addition to her theatre work, Kalukango has appeared in One Night in Miami..., When They See Us and Lawmen: Bass Reeves.[3]

Early life[edit]

Kalukango was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from the Juilliard School.[4] Kalukango is of Angolan descent, and her parents arrived in the United States as political refugees.[5] Due to her heritage, Kalukango wants to work on roles that showcase the Black experience.[6]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2015 I Had a Dream Betty Shabazz Short film
2019 Chained for Life Michelle
2020 One Night in Miami... Betty X

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2019 When They See Us Adelle Episode: "Part Three"
2019 Instinct Angela Episode: "Trust Issues"
2020 Lovecraft Country Hanna 4 episodes
2021 Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Mildred Falls Television film
2023 Lawmen: Bass Reeves Esme 6 episodes

Theatre credits[edit]

Year Title Role Venue
2011 Ragtime Sarah Hangar Theatre
2011–2012 Godspell Ensemble Circle in the Square Theatre
2012 Hurt Village Cookie Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre
2012 Emotional Creature Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre
2014 Antony and Cleopatra Cleopatra Anspacher Theater
2014 Holler If Ya Hear Me Kamilah, Ensemble Palace Theatre
2014 Our Lady of Kibeho Marie-Clare Mukangango Irene Diamond Stage
2015 The Wild Party Kate New York City Center, Encores!
2015–2016 The Color Purple Nettie Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
2017 The Red Letter Plays: Fucking A Canary Mary Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre
2018 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Smitty Kennedy Center
2019–2020 Slave Play Kaneisha John Golden Theatre
2021 Paradise Square Nelly O'Brien Nederlander Theatre
2022 Ethel Barrymore Theatre
2022–2023 Into the Woods The Witch St. James Theatre
2024 Jelly's Last Jam Anita New York City Center, Encores!

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Work Result
2012 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Hurt Village Nominated
2020 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play Slave Play Nominated
2021 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture One Night in Miami... Nominated
2022 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Paradise Square Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Tony Nominee Joaquina Kalukango on How Slave Play Provokes Discussion: 'We've Never Seen That on a Broadway Stage'". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  2. ^ "Tony Award nominations: "A Strange Loop" earns 11 nods, "MJ" and "Paradise Square" each get 10". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  3. ^ Kumar, Naveen (2022-01-20). "Joaquina Kalukango is Broadway's Next Great Leading Lady". Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  4. ^ Jacobs, Julia (2022-02-25). "Joaquina Kalukango Isn't Afraid to Speak Up Anymore". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  5. ^ Cox, Gordon (2022-06-21). "Why Tony-Winning Actor Joaquina Kalukango Has Started Telling Stories as a Writer, Too". Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  6. ^ Wells, Veronica. "Broadway Star Joaquina Kalukango On Supporting 'Everything That's Black' In The Roles She Chooses". Retrieved 2022-07-14.

External links[edit]


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