Nik Walker
Nik Walker | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1987 |
| Alma mater | NYU Tisch School of the Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Writer |
| Known for | Aaron Burr in Broadway's Hamilton |
Nik Walker (born 28 November 1987) is an American actor and performer. He has co-starred in the Broadway productions of Hamilton and Spamalot playing Aaron Burr and Sir Dennis Galahad, respectively.[1]
Early life and Education
[edit]Walker was raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and has spoken publicly about how the city's history and culture influenced him as an artist.[2] His mother, Liz Walker, was a popular news anchor for WBZ-TV in Boston before becoming a minister. Having never married, her pregnancy with Nik became headlines and drew criticism from religious leaders who felt she was setting a negative example for youth.[3][4]
Walker attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts and graduated in 2010.[5]
Career
[edit]Walker's early Broadway credits include Hamilton (understudy for several supporting male roles and later as Aaron Burr),[6] Ain't Too Proud,[7] and Motown the Musical.[8]
In 2008, Walker portrayed the Balladeer in the Boston Center for the Arts production of Assassins. The following year he was Benjamin Coffin III in Rent at the Hangar Theatre. He returned to Rent as Tom Collins in 2011 with the Pioneer Theatre Company. Later that year he portrayed John in Miss Saigon at the Ogunquit Playhouse. He starred as the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince opposite Danielle Ferland in the Westport Country Playhouse and Center Stage production of Into the Woods.[9]
Walker made his Broadway debut in 2013 when he joined the cast of Motown: The Musical. He then joined the Broadway cast of Hamilton as an ensemble member and understudy for Aaron Burr, George Washington, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison.[10] He performed in national touring companies for both Motown the Musical (as Ensemble) and Hamilton (as Burr).[11]
In 2020, he joined the Broadway cast of Ain't Too Proud, taking over the role of Otis Williams.[12] He remained with the production until it closed.[13]
In summer 2021, Walker starred as Sweeney Todd in the Hangar Theatre production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.[14]
Walker returned to the Broadway production of Hamilton on March 1, 2022, in the role of Aaron Burr. He starred in the production through February 26, 2023.[15]
Walker performed as Sir Galahad in the Washington, D.C., production of Spamalot at the Kennedy Center in May 2023.[16] He continued in the role when the production moved to Broadway in the fall of that same year.[17]
In the summer of 2024, Walker is set to play Count Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music at Ogunquit Playhouse. He also appeared in the Apple TV+ movie The Instigators starring Matt Damon.[18]
In addition to his career as a performer, Walker is a professor at New York University.[19]
Personal life
[edit]Walker is married to Sarah Joyce.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Videos". FOX 5 New York. November 21, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Nik Walker on Black Theater, Gratitude and the New Musical, 'Spamalot'". Essence. December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ Brouk, Tricia (August 3, 2021). "367 Engaging in the Hard Conversations with Nik Walker". Tricia Brouk. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Liz Walker". Northeastern University. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ "Tisch Drama Alum and 'Hamilton' Star Nik Walker '10 Reflects on Career, Time at NYU". tisch.nyu.edu. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (January 10, 2022). "Nik Walker Sets Return to Broadway's Hamilton". Playbill.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (February 28, 2020). "Broadway's Ain't Too Proud Welcomes Nik Walker and Matt Manuel". Playbill.
- ^ "Nik Walker Never Thought He Would Do Musicals, Now He's Dancing and Singing in Ain't Too Proud". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/326062-nik-walker Nik Walker AboutTheArtists
- ^ "Nik Walker to Play Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Higgins, Jim. "Friend or foe? As Burr, Nik Walker is both in musical 'Hamilton' at Milwaukee's Marcus Center". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Millward, Tom (February 27, 2020). "Nik Walker & Matt Manuel debut in Ain't Too Proud on Broadway". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ White, Abbey (December 28, 2021). "Broadway's Temptations Musical 'Ain't Too Proud' to Close in January". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ https://playbill.com/article/nik-walker-and-donna-lynne-champlin-will-lead-sweeney-todd-at-hangar-theatre Nik Walker and Donna Lynne Champlin Will Lead Sweeney Todd at Hangar Theatre
- ^ "Nik Walker on Why Hamilton Is 'The West Wing of Musical Theater'". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Marks, Peter (May 15, 2023). "Review | 'Spamalot' might be retro, but it's still a riot". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ Russo, Gillian (November 6, 2023). "Nik Walker and the 'Spamalot' cast bring their real-life friendship to the Round Table". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Nik Walker On Black Theater, Gratitude And The New Musical, 'Spamalot'". Essence. December 31, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ "Nicholas Walker". tisch.nyu.edu. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Spamalot's Nik Walker and Taran Killam Are Obsessed with Going to Theme Parks Together (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 21, 2024.