2. Born July 3 rd, 1970 Berlin, Germany Anna Kathryn & Stanley McDonald Jr. Raised in Fresno, CA Studied Classical Voice at Julliard, graduating in 1993

3. Carousel (1994) Carrie Pipperidge Master Class Sharon Graham Ragtime Sarah A Raisin in the Sun Ruth Younger 110 in the Shade Lizzie Curry Twelfth Night Olivia Porgy and Bess Bess Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill Billie Holiday

4. Annie (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

5. Audra McDonald is widely known for breaking down barriers for color-blind casting. Her roles in Carousel and Annie, to name but two.

6. 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=BZQBA Cn2SdI

7. 6 Drama Desk Award Nominations -5 Wins 6 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations -5 Wins 8 Tony Award Nominations - 6 Wins

8. With her 6 th 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=bKjXK M1a5RQ

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