Tamika Sonja Lawrence is a two-time Grammy winning American actress, singer, and writer. She is known for her Broadway stage performances in productions like Caroline, or Change and Black No More.
Early life and education Lawrence received her BFA in musical theatre from the University of Arizona.
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 over 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.
During the COVID-19 lockdown beginning in early 2020, Lawrence started an independent streetwear clothing company called Ready Set Wear and donated a portion of the profits to the NAACP and ACLU, with the goal of supporting the Black Lives Matter protest movement and advocating for sustainable fashion. She also began an educational social media series called "It Be Like That" in response to interest in topics of police reform and gun violence in the United States.
Lawrence's debut solo album, Two Faced, was released in October 2020. Her second album, Barely In The Calm House was released March 2026.
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 and Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical.
Acting credits Theatre YearTitleRoleNotes 2011 Rent Mrs. Jefferson/Ensemble/Joanne (u/s) Off-Broadway 2012 The Book of Mormon Mrs. Brown Broadway 2013 Matilda Ensemble/Mrs. Wormwood (u/s)/Mrs. Phelps (u/s) Broadway 2014–2015 If/Then Elena/Kate (u/s) Broadway 2015 The Tempest Ceres Off-Broadway 2016 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Shirelle/Janelle Woods Broadway 2016–present Dear Evan Hansen Virtual Community Voice Broadway 2017–2022 Come From Away Standby for Janice, Hannah, Bonnie, Beulah, & Diane Broadway 2018 Gettin' the Band Back Together Roxanne Velasco Broadway 2019 Hercules Calliope Off-Broadway 2021 Caroline, or Change Dotty Moffett Broadway2022 Black No More Buni Off-Broadway2024 The Heart of Rock and Roll Roz Broadway2025 Drag: The MusicalDixie CoxworthOff-Broadway2026Oh Happy DayNiecyOff-Broadway
Film YearTitleRoleNotes 2016 White Girl Female Visitor #1 Breakable You Tara 2019Rent: LiveRENT Alumni SingerUncredited2022Better Nate Than EverDrugstore employee 2025FucktoysDion
Television YearTitleRoleNotes 2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mignon Episode: "True Believers" 2014 Christmas in Rockefeller Center Playback singer TV special Idina Menzel: Holiday Wishes Singer iHeartRadio concert special 2015 Blue Bloods Nina Episode: "Home Sweet Home" Show Me a Hero Young Mother 2 episodes The Wiz Live! Deputy Munchkin TV special 2016 Vinyl Starr Episode: "The Racket" 2018 The Last O.G. Dawn Episode: "Tray-ning Day" 2021–2022 That Damn Michael Che Recurring 2022The Marvelous Mrs. MaiselShy Baldwin Backup SingerEpisode: "How to Chew Quietly and Influence People"2024SherriMusical GuestSeason 2, Episode 122: "Huey Lewis/Mally Roncal/Tamika Lawrence"
Discography YearTitleNotes 2013 Matilda (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Background vocals 2014 If/Then (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 2015 Love the Coopers (Film Soundtrack) Sings "O Holy Night" 2017 The Greatest Showman (Film Soundtrack) Ensemble vocalist UGLY With Tamika & The Slay 2018 Gettin' the Band Back Together (Original Broadway Cast Recording) 2020 Two Faced Solo album 2021 In the Heights (Film Soundtrack) Vocal ensemble Needle in a Timestack (Film Soundtrack) Sings "Won't Be Undone" Caroline, or Change (New Broadway Cast Recording) 2025The Farewell, Vol2A cinematic concert written and performed by Lawrence2026Barely In The Calm HouseSolo album
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