Never in our wildest dreams did we think the girl in the wheelchair could star in a musical.
In 2019, Ali Stroker was the first individual in a wheelchair to be nominated for and win a Tony Award.
She won best-supporting Actress in a musical for her role as Ado Annie in the revival of “Oklahoma!”
In her Tony Award speech, she said, “This award is for every kid watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena.”
Most nominees walk down the aisles and up the steps when accepting their awards, but Ali Stroker had to wait backstage because of Radio City hall’s lack of ramps. Ali Stroker spoke, saying; she hopes one-day theatres will become more accessible to performers in wheelchairs.
In the Past, Ali made history with her first appearance on Broadway in 2015. In “Spring Awakening’s” production, she became the first Broadway actor to use a wheelchair in a show.
Ali Stroker lost her mobility and became paralyzed after a car accident at the age of two. By living with a disability, she felt limited at times, but singing always felt freeing to her.
Being in a wheelchair did not restrict Ali Stroker from being a Broadway star.
Ali paved the way for others with disabilities, that now believe they can follow their dreams as a Broadway performer. The representation for those with disabilities is only growing stronger.
Super inspiring! It’s so cool that she made her debut in Spring Awakening, since the revival has been known for being inclusive to many communities that’ve felt excluded from theatre before