Jump to content

Desi Oakley: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m I added citation and corrected an error.
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American singer and actress (born 1989)}}
{{Short description|American singer and actress (born 1989)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{Advert|date=May 2020}}
{{Notability|Bio||date=April 2023}}
{{COI|date=May 2020}}
{{COI|date=May 2020}}
}}
}}
Line 11: Line 11:
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|6|12}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|6|12}}
| birth_place = [[Wichita, Kansas]]
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| alma_mater = [[University of Michigan]] (BFA)
| alma_mater = [[University of Michigan]] (BFA)
| occupation = Actress, singer
| occupation = Actress, singer
| known_for = ''[[Waitress (musical)|Waitress]]'', ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'', ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]''
| known_for = ''[[Waitress (musical)|Waitress]]'', ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'', ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]''
| website = {{url|www.desioakley.com}}
| website = {{URL|www.desioakley.com}}
}}
}}


'''Desi Oakley''' (born June 12, 1989) is an American singer and actress, known for her work in musical theatre. She has performed in shows such as ''[[Waitress (musical)|Waitress]]'', ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'', and ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Desi Oakley|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/desi-oakley-492783|url-status=live|website=Internet Broadway Database}}</ref>
''' Desiree "Desi" Oakley''', (born June 12, 1989), is an American singer and actress, known for her work in [[musical theatre]]. She has performed in shows such as ''[[Waitress (musical)|Waitress]]'', ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'', and ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Desi Oakley|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/desi-oakley-492783|website=Internet Broadway Database}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Desiree "Desi" Oakley was born in [[Wichita, Kansas]]. She was first exposed to professional theatre at [[Music Theatre Wichita]] and began performing at the age of 8 years. Some of her early roles included Dorothy Gale in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1987 musical)|The Wizard of Oz]]'', Eponine in ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'', Gabriella in ''[[High School Musical on Stage!|High School Musical]]'', and Ariel in ''[[The Little Mermaid (musical)|The Little Mermaid]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 12, 2017|title=Desi Oakley|url=https://aclassactny.com/profile/desi-oakley/|url-status=live|website=A Class Act NY}}</ref> She graduated , BFA in Musical Theater, from the University of Michigan in 2011.
Desiree "Desi" Oakley was born in [[Wichita, Kansas]]. She first attended professional theatre at [[Music Theatre Wichita]] and began performing at the age of 8 years. Some of her early roles included Dorothy Gale in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1987 musical)|The Wizard of Oz]]'', Eponine in ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'', Gabriella in ''[[High School Musical on Stage!|High School Musical]]'', and Ariel in ''[[The Little Mermaid (musical)|The Little Mermaid]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 12, 2017|title=Desi Oakley|url=https://aclassactny.com/profile/desi-oakley/|website=A Class Act NY}}</ref> She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater, from the University of Michigan in 2011.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


==Broadway career==
==Broadway career==
Oakley made her [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] debut in ''Wicked'' at the [[Gershwin Theatre]] on January 3, 2012, as one of the show's swings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Desi Oakley|url=https://www.playbill.com/person/desi-oakley-vault-0000121637|url-status=live|website=Playbill}}</ref> She was later cast as a member of the ensemble and understudied the roles of [[Elphaba]] and [[Nessarose|Nessarose Thropp]].
Oakley made her [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] debut in ''Wicked'' at the [[Gershwin Theatre]] on January 3, 2012, as one of the show's swings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Desi Oakley|url=https://www.playbill.com/person/desi-oakley-vault-0000121637|website=Playbill}}</ref> She was later cast as a member of the ensemble and understudied the roles of [[Elphaba]] and [[Nessarose|Nessarose Thropp]].{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


After her work on ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', Oakley went on to appear in the 2012 Broadway revival of ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' at the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]]. In addition to her role in the ensemble, she understudied both Grace Farrell and Lily St. Regis. Soon after this, Oakley joined the National Tour of the 2012 revival of ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]],'' serving as the alternate for the titular role and performing twice per week.
After ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', Oakley went on to appear in the 2012 Broadway revival of ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' at the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]]. In addition to her role in the ensemble, she understudied Grace Farrell and Lily St. Regis. Soon after, Oakley joined the National Tour of the 2012 revival of ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]],'' as the alternate for the titular role and performing twice per week.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} In 2016, Oakley joined the cast of the 2014 Broadway revival of ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'' at the [[Imperial Theatre]]. She served as a member of the ensemble and covered the role of [[Fantine]]. Oakley stayed with the production until its final performance on September 4, 2016.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


Oakley is perhaps best known for her performance in the lead role of Jenna in ''[[Waitress (musical)|Waitress]]'', where she originated on the show's first national tour.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Ryan|date=August 9, 2017|title=Serve with a Smile! Desi Oakley, Bryan fenkart & More Will Star in the National Tour of ''Waitress''|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/189306/serve-with-a-smile-desi-oakley-bryan-fenkart-more-will-star-in-the-national-tour-of-waitress/|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=Broadway.com}}</ref> She also temporarily starred as Jenna in the [[West End theatre|West End]] production of ''Waitress'', at the [[Adelphi Theatre]], in January 2020.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=January 13, 2020|title=Producers Fly Desi Oakley to London to Fill in for Ill ''Waitress'' Stars|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/producers-fly-desi-oakley-to-london-to-fill-in-for-ill-waitress-stars|website=Playbill}}</ref> On May 13, 2019, Oakley began starring as [[Roxie Hart]] in ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'' on Broadway.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|date=May 13, 2019|title=Desi Oakley Joins Broadway Cast of ''Chicago'' May 13|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/desi-oakley-joins-broadway-cast-of-chicago-may-13|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> She played three two-week engagements in the role, with her final performance on July 28, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 9, 2019|title=Desi Oakley to Razzle Dazzle in CHICAGO as Roxie Hart|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Desi-Oakley-to-Razzle-Dazzle-in-CHICAGO-as-Roxie-Hart-20190509|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> Her latest album "''THE LIGHT EFFECT''" released in June 2022 as a Broadway show, starring [[Caitlin Kinnunen]], [[Erika Henningsen]] & [[Christiani Pitts]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Caitlin Kinnunen Joins Desi Oakley's New Musical THE LIGHT EFFECT |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Caitlin-Kinnunen-Joins-Desi-Oakleys-New-Musical-THE-LIGHT-EFFECT-Starring-Erika-Henningsen-Christiani-Pitts-More-20220616 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Desi Oakley's New Musical THE LIGHT EFFECT to Premiere With Christiani Pitts & More |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Desi-Oakleys-New-Musical-THE-LIGHT-EFFECT-to-Premiere-With-Erika-Henningsen-Christiani-Pitts-More-20220502 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2016, Oakley joined the cast of the 2014 Broadway revival of ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'' at the [[Imperial Theatre]]. She served as a member of the ensemble and covered the role of [[Fantine]]. Oakley stayed with the production until its final performance on September 4, 2016.


In summer 2024, she’ll reprise the role of Jenna in ''Waitress'' at [[Ogunquit Playhouse]] and [[Wells Fargo Pavilion]].<ref>[https://www.playbill.com/article/desi-oakley-kennedy-kanagawa-cleavant-derricks-more-will-star-in-ogunquit-playhouse-waitress?fbclid=PAAabTcQNtEinzcV8p-KHchiSsr7CF92S0muR9h7lkW9ZWFGQMfwp1sNneCcQ_aem_AciZF4DM8SS29wxtWPmxfoiHLh6yD9W_4M8zX2xPVs3Rkrqwjt_GswTimK3ze-QYsC8 Desi Oakley, Kennedy Kanagawa, Cleavant Derricks, More Will Star in Ogunquit Playhouse Waitress]</ref>
Oakley is best known for her performance in the lead role of Jenna in ''[[Waitress (musical)|Waitress]]'', where she originated on the show's first National Tour.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Ryan|date=August 9, 2017|title=Serve with a Smile! Desi Oakley, Bryan fenkart & More Will Star in the National Tour of ''Waitress''|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/189306/serve-with-a-smile-desi-oakley-bryan-fenkart-more-will-star-in-the-national-tour-of-waitress/|url-status=live|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=Broadway.com}}</ref> Along with this, she temporarily starred as Jenna in the [[West End theatre|West End]] production of ''Waitress'', at the [[Adelphi Theatre]], in January 2020.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=January 13, 2020|title=Producers Fly Desi Oakley to London to Fill in for Ill ''Waitress'' Stars|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/producers-fly-desi-oakley-to-london-to-fill-in-for-ill-waitress-stars|url-status=live|website=Playbill}}</ref>


⚫
==Other work==
On May 13, 2019, Oakley began starring as [[Roxie Hart]] in ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'' on Broadway.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|date=May 13, 2019|title=Desi Oakley Joins Broadway Cast of ''Chicago'' May 13|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/desi-oakley-joins-broadway-cast-of-chicago-may-13|url-status=live|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> She played three two-week engagements in the role, with her final performance on July 28, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 9, 2019|title=Desi Oakley to Razzle Dazzle in CHICAGO as Roxie Hart|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Desi-Oakley-to-Razzle-Dazzle-in-CHICAGO-as-Roxie-Hart-20190509|url-status=live|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref>


⚫
Oakley is also a singer-songwriter. She released the independent studio albums ''Don't Look Back'' in 2014 and ''Repeat'' in 2019.<ref name=":0" /> In 2020, Oakley released ''A Pocket of Time,'' and donated the proceeds from digital downloads to the Dramatist Guild Foundation for artists who were struggling as a result of the [[COVID-19]] pandemic. She has also recorded one-off singles including ''White Butterfly'' and ''Winter Song'' (featuring Becca White).{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} In November 2019 Oakley and her ''Evita'' tour castmate [[Krystina Alabado]] began a Broadway training program for young actors in New York City called Pop Rock Broadway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.poprockbroadway.com/|title=Pop Rock Broadway|website=Pop Rock Broadway |language=en|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>
⚫
==Other works==

⚫
Along with performing on Broadway, Oakley is also a singer-songwriter. She has released several independent studio albums<ref name=":0" />. Her releases include 2014's ''Don't Look Back'' and 2019's ''Repeat''. In 2020, Oakley released ''A Pocket of Time,'' donating the proceeds from digital downloads to the [[Dramatist Guild Foundation]] in support of struggling artists during the [[COVID-19]] pandemic. She has also recorded several one-off singles including ''White Butterfly'' and 2020's ''Winter Song'' (featuring Becca White).

Oakley also has taught at various Musical Theater intensives, teaching classes both in New York City and across the country. In November 2019 along with her ''Evita'' tour castmate and friend [[Krystina Alabado]], she launched Pop Rock Broadway: a Broadway training program for young actors in NYC expanding into the world of Pop, Rock, and Contemporary Musical Theatre. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.poprockbroadway.com/|title=Pop Rock Broadway|website=Pop Rock Broadway |language=en|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 07:24, 19 July 2024

Desi Oakley
Born (1989-06-12) June 12, 1989 (age 35)
Wichita, Kansas
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Michigan (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Known forWaitress, Chicago, Wicked
Websitewww.desioakley.com

Desiree "Desi" Oakley, (born June 12, 1989), is an American singer and actress, known for her work in musical theatre. She has performed in shows such as Waitress, Chicago, and Wicked.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Desiree "Desi" Oakley was born in Wichita, Kansas. She first attended professional theatre at Music Theatre Wichita and began performing at the age of 8 years. Some of her early roles included Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, Eponine in Les Misérables, Gabriella in High School Musical, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid.[2] She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater, from the University of Michigan in 2011.[citation needed]

Broadway career

[edit]

Oakley made her Broadway debut in Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre on January 3, 2012, as one of the show's swings.[3] She was later cast as a member of the ensemble and understudied the roles of Elphaba and Nessarose Thropp.[citation needed]

After Wicked, Oakley went on to appear in the 2012 Broadway revival of Annie at the Palace Theatre. In addition to her role in the ensemble, she understudied Grace Farrell and Lily St. Regis. Soon after, Oakley joined the National Tour of the 2012 revival of Evita, as the alternate for the titular role and performing twice per week.[citation needed] In 2016, Oakley joined the cast of the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre. She served as a member of the ensemble and covered the role of Fantine. Oakley stayed with the production until its final performance on September 4, 2016.[citation needed]

Oakley is perhaps best known for her performance in the lead role of Jenna in Waitress, where she originated on the show's first national tour.[4] She also temporarily starred as Jenna in the West End production of Waitress, at the Adelphi Theatre, in January 2020.[5] On May 13, 2019, Oakley began starring as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway.[6] She played three two-week engagements in the role, with her final performance on July 28, 2019.[7] Her latest album "THE LIGHT EFFECT" released in June 2022 as a Broadway show, starring Caitlin Kinnunen, Erika Henningsen & Christiani Pitts.[8][9]

In summer 2024, she’ll reprise the role of Jenna in Waitress at Ogunquit Playhouse and Wells Fargo Pavilion.[10]

Other work

[edit]

Oakley is also a singer-songwriter. She released the independent studio albums Don't Look Back in 2014 and Repeat in 2019.[5] In 2020, Oakley released A Pocket of Time, and donated the proceeds from digital downloads to the Dramatist Guild Foundation for artists who were struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also recorded one-off singles including White Butterfly and Winter Song (featuring Becca White).[citation needed] In November 2019 Oakley and her Evita tour castmate Krystina Alabado began a Broadway training program for young actors in New York City called Pop Rock Broadway.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Desi Oakley". Internet Broadway Database.
  2. ^ "Desi Oakley". A Class Act NY. December 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Desi Oakley". Playbill.
  4. ^ Gilbert, Ryan (August 9, 2017). "Serve with a Smile! Desi Oakley, Bryan fenkart & More Will Star in the National Tour of Waitress". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Gans, Andrew (January 13, 2020). "Producers Fly Desi Oakley to London to Fill in for Ill Waitress Stars". Playbill.
  6. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 13, 2019). "Desi Oakley Joins Broadway Cast of Chicago May 13". Playbill. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Desi Oakley to Razzle Dazzle in CHICAGO as Roxie Hart". BroadwayWorld. May 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  8. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Caitlin Kinnunen Joins Desi Oakley's New Musical THE LIGHT EFFECT". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Desi Oakley's New Musical THE LIGHT EFFECT to Premiere With Christiani Pitts & More". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Desi Oakley, Kennedy Kanagawa, Cleavant Derricks, More Will Star in Ogunquit Playhouse Waitress
  11. ^ "Pop Rock Broadway". Pop Rock Broadway. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Desi_Oakley&oldid=1235430732"