Isabelle McCalla (born June 15, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing Alyssa Greene in the Broadway musical The Prom and playing Jasmine in the Broadway musical version of Disney's Aladdin.

Isabelle McCalla
Born (1993-06-15) June 15, 1993 (age 31)
Queens, U.S.
Other namesIzzy McCalla
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, dancer
Years active2015–present

Early life and education

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McCalla was born in Queens and grew up in Suffern, New York. She has a younger brother named Colin. McCalla attended Rockland Country Day School. She studied dance at Coupé Theater Studio from a young age. McCalla was enrolled in ballet class in third grade to learn discipline, and she took more classes as she entered high school.[1] She attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 2015.[2][3]

Career

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McCalla made her Broadway debut in January 2018, as Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin. She had previously originated the role in the first national tour.[4]

Later in 2018, McCalla originated the role of Alyssa Greene in The Prom on Broadway.[5] She had previously performed as an ensemble member in the show's Atlanta premiere in 2016.[6] McCalla and co-star Caitlin Kinnunen's kiss during their performance at the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made national news as the first LGBT kiss in the parade's history.[7]

McCalla appeared across the US performing beloved songs as part of the Disney Princess — The Concert tour.[1]

McCalla replaced Caroline Innerbichler as Maizy in Shucked on Broadway at the Nederlander Theater in early September 2023.[8] In 2024, she will star with Grant Gustin in the Broadway musical adaptation of the novel, Water for Elephants.[9]

Personal life

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McCalla's father is from Haiti.[10]

In 2019, McCalla came out as queer and bisexual on the Thank You For Coming Out podcast.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
TBA Aladdin: The Broadway Musical Jasmine Filmed recording of 2019 West End Musical

Television

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Year Network Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 PIX11 Broadway Profiles with Tamsen Fadal Episode: "A New Year On Broadway "
2017 CBS Bull Erica Episode: "E.J."
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Gallery View Lulu Youtube web series written by Ellyn Marsh and Gavin Lodge

Stage credits

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Year(s) Production Role Location Category Ref.
2012 Aladdin Ensemble The Muny Regional
2013 42nd Street Benedum Center
West Side Story Rosalia The Muny
2014 Singin' in the Rain Zelda Zanders Benedum Center
Legally Blonde Pilar
Footloose Ensemble
Cabaret Sally Bowles University of Michigan
2015 Mary Poppins Mrs. Corry Benedum Center
2016 West Side Story Anita Miracle Theatre
Mary Poppins Mrs. Corry Sarofim Hall
42nd Street Ensemble The Muny
The Prom Alliance Theatre
2017-18 Aladdin Jasmine National Tour Touring
2018 New Amsterdam Theatre Broadway
2018–19 The Prom Alyssa Greene Longacre Theatre
2019 Footloose Ariel Kennedy Center Regional
Fun Home Joan Plaza Jewish Community Chapel Benefit Reading
2020 Fly Tink La Jolla Playhouse Regional
2021 Clue Yvette Paper Mill Playhouse
2023 Hercules Meg
Water for Elephants Marlena Alliance Theatre
2023-24 Shucked Maizy Nederlander Theater Broadway
2024 Water for Elephants Marlena / June Imperial Theater

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated Work Result
2019 Broadway.com Audience Awards[12] Favorite Onstage Pair (with Caitlin Kinnunen) The Prom Nominated
Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female) Nominated
2024 Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical Water for Elephants Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Kramer, Peter D. (November 14, 2018). "From Rockland to Broadway to 'The Prom': 13 things about Isabelle McCalla". lohud.com. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  2. ^ McCalla, Isabelle [@izzymccalla] (May 1, 2015). "So...this happened today...WHAT?!?!". Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ "Musical Theatre Alumni". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  4. ^ Rickwald, Bethany (February 22, 2017). "Full Cast Announced for Aladdin North American Tour". TheatreMania. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  5. ^ Sullivan, Lindsey (January 28, 2018). "Beth Leavel, Brooks Ashmanskas & More to Star in Broadway's The Prom". Broadway.com. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  6. '^ Moynihan, Caitlin (2019-07-10). "The Proms Isabelle McCalla on 'Choosing Joy,' Bringing Miss Congeniality to Broadway & More". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  7. ^ Romano, Nick (November 22, 2018). "'The Prom' celebrates 'first LGBTQ kiss' in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade history". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  8. ^ Russo, Gillian (2023-07-27). "Isabelle McCalla to join 'Shucked' Broadway cast | Official NY Theatre Guide". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  9. ^ Evans, Greg (2023-11-03). "'The Flash's Grant Gustin To Make Broadway Debut In 'Water For Elephants' Musical". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  10. ^ Farrell, Paul (November 23, 2018). "Caitlin Kinnunen & Isabelle McCalla: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  11. ^ Schindler, Paul (July 18, 2019). "Isabelle McCalla, Thank You For Coming Out". Gay City News. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  12. ^ Wontorek, Paul (May 7, 2019). "Fan-Picked 2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Nominations Announced; Be More Chill Leads With 12". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
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