Tamika Lawrence Explained

Tamika Lawrence
Birth Name:Tamika Sonja Lawrence
Birth Date:January 11
Birth Place:Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality:American

Tamika Sonja Lawrence is a two time Grammy winning American actress, singer, and writer.

Early life and education

Lawrence was born on January 11 in Columbus, Ohio. She received her BFA in musical theatre from the University of Arizona.[1]

Career

Lawrence made her off-Broadway debut in the 2011 revival of Rent as the "Seasons of Love" Soloist. Since then she has appeared in seven Broadway shows and made several television and film appearances. In 2017 Lawrence and her band, "The Slay", released their album UGLY. Lawrence won a Grammy for the Dear Evan Hansen album in 2018.[2] Lawrence announced that her debut record, Two Faced, would be released in 2019.

For her performance as Buni in the original off-Broadway production of Black No More, Lawrence was nominated for the 2022 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical[3] and Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical.[4]

Acting credits

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011RentMrs. Jefferson/Ensemble/Joanne (u/s)Off-Broadway
2012The Book of MormonMrs. BrownBroadway
2013MatildaEnsemble/Mrs. Wormwood (u/s)/Mrs. Phelps (u/s)Broadway
2014–2015If/ThenElena/Kate (u/s)Broadway
2015The TempestCeresOff-Broadway
2016Shirelle/Janelle WoodsBroadway
2016–presentDear Evan HansenVirtual Community VoiceBroadway
2017–2022Come From AwayStandby for Janice, Hannah, Bonnie, Beulah, & DianeBroadway
2018Gettin' the Band Back TogetherRoxanne VelascoBroadway
2019HerculesCalliopeOff-Broadway
2021Caroline, or ChangeDotty MoffettBroadway
2022Black No MoreBuni Off-Broadway
2024The Heart of Rock and RollRozBroadway

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016White GirlFemale Visitor #1
Breakable YouTara

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011MignonEpisode: "True Believers"
2014Christmas in Rockefeller CenterPlayback singerTV special
Idina Menzel: Holiday WishesSingeriHeartRadio concert special
2015Blue BloodsNinaEpisode: "Home Sweet Home"
Show Me a HeroYoung Mother2 episodes
The Wiz Live!Deputy MunchkinTV special
2016VinylStarrEpisode: "The Racket"
2018The Last O.G.DawnEpisode: "Tray-ning Day"
2021–2022That Damn Michael CheRecurring

Discography

YearTitleNotes
2013Matilda (Original Broadway Cast Recording)Background vocals
2014If/Then (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
2015Love the Coopers (Film Soundtrack)Sings "O Holy Night"
2017The Greatest Showman (Film Soundtrack)Ensemble vocalist
UGLYWith Tamika & The Slay
2018Gettin' the Band Back Together (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
2020Two Faced
2021In the Heights (Film Soundtrack)Vocal ensemble
Needle in a Timestack (Film Soundtrack)Sings "Won't Be Undone"
Caroline, or Change (New Broadway Cast Recording)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tamika Sonja Lawrence . University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television . January 8, 2022.
  2. Web site: AMC: Tamika Lawrence and Bel-Ami. May 30, 2021. Apollo Theater. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220011/https://www.apollotheater.org/event/amc-tamika-lawrence-and-bel-ami/. June 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: Moynihan . Caitlin . Six and Kimberly Akimbo Lead 2022 Drama Desk Nominations . Broadway.com . November 12, 2022 . May 16, 2022.
  4. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . 2022 Lucille Lortel Awards: See the Complete List of Nominees . Playbill . November 12, 2022 . April 7, 2022.