Meet Ali Stroker: the First Actress in a Wheelchair to Perform on Broadway | Mashable Docs

[@MissLizaMay]

And now a Tony winner!

[@SecondEvilEx]

so she's that awesome

[@strawberrysubs-4566]

And now Ali Stroker has a Tony! She is so inspiring and I love her so much !

[@Emiltonin]

Nugget Nugget doesn’t she have 2

[@spwingawakeningmakesmecwy3193]

Emily She only has one, I believe.

[@cocol8455]

She would be a really good Elle

[@ericarichter5542]

Coco L Y E S

[@Aewour]

She totally would

[@alyrar8002]

OMG wait so true

[@Rayray678lle]

Yes!

[@jacksongentry9414]

Coco L OMG YESS

[@dannypreklas]

Meet Ali Stroker: The First Actress in a Wheelchair to Win a TONY AWARD, BABY!

[@TaylorWMusic22]

Correction: Meet Ali Stroker: The First Actress to Win a TONY AWARD while in a wheelchair

[@froggyfun1830]

I didn’t even think about the lack of disabled people in theatre. Come to think of it I never have seen anyone in a professional production at all. Definitely made me think. I’m glad that you are the first and congrats on the Tony! I hope you continue to play amazing roles in you career and just continuing having such a wonderful career

[@juleselizaaaa]

There's a show called Speechless on ABC, and the main character is played by a disabled boy who came from my theatre group.

[@froggyfun1830]

SingYour HeartOut oh my goodness yes I used to watch that show!!! Sort of stopped watching it cause it got a little boring for me but still a great show and congrats to the amazing actor who plays JJ 10/10 :)

[@alibhg3063]

@@juleselizaaaa "disabled boy?" He might not view himself as disabled. I don't think Ali calls herself "disabled girl" just because she is in a wheelchair.Labels are a problem as well. Saying "People with disabilities" might be better. Just because someone has a physical condition doesn't mean they should be viewed or called "disabled people." It doesn't seem like Ali views herself that way. People have "invisible" conditions as well. Likely they are in the theatre community but maybe don't want to be labeled.

[@juleselizaaaa]

@@alibhg3063 read when i commented that lol. i've definitely changed my views on how to say things after two years.

[@juleselizaaaa]

@@alibhg3063 but thank you for being informative for anyone who doesn't currently know that these terms can be incorrect/offensive to the disabled community.

[@peytonsmith8441]

This was in 2015 - jump to 2019 and now she has a TONY award!!

[@MikeJ2023]

Peyton Smith she lived in my childhood home town she went to my high school and I worked with her father for a brief period of time. I was friends with her brother for a little while in high school.

[@megagabriel56]

I actually think the glee project helped her A LOT

[@laurawalsh7063]

Yeah I'm like...we're just skipping over that huh?

[@FaithChick18]

Luis Ojeda she should have won glee project

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

As someone with chronic pain who has to use a wheelchair sometimes, this is really inspirational. There's only one wheelchair character I can think of in a musical and that's Nessa Rose, and even she gets up and walks at the end. I'm so glad this is becoming a thing.

[@scz1770]

The only reason she's in a chair in Wicked is because in the book she hasn't got arms and it's a lot harder to show that on stage than putting her in a wheelchair. It's even less representative of disability when you know the full story.

[@bethanyvarre9142]

Yes! During her scenes without a wheelchair, just CGI her head on a double's body!

[@dalmir5212]

I saw her in the New Revival of “Oklahoma!” on Broadway and oh my gosh her voice is amazing! I highly recommend you see this production of the show!😍😍

[@noahalexander23]

Agreed! She was one of my favorite parts!

[@emilynester1035]

Same! She was the highlight of the show!

[@insertname1857]

i didn't know she was in deaf west theatre's spring awakening! i LOVED that production.

[@LeeDoesArtStuff]

insert name Strange. I found her difficult to forget, even as a minor character, due to how her wheelchair fit into the choreography.

[@insertname1857]

Mileah Hugh i didn't know who she was when i watched the video of the show. i knew there was a girl in a wheelchair in the show, you're right it's hard to forget the choreography for that, i just didn't know who the actress was

[@nastassjahall9358]

The deaf west production is Spring Awakening owns my entire heart I love it. I definitely thought Ali was a standout part of the cast but that's just me. Then again I also just love most of the cast so there's that

[@caitlinjane92]

I'm just as surprised as Ali was to find out that she is the first person in a wheelchair to get to perform on Broadway. I mean, this country created a form of basketball for people in wheel chairs and even a type of waltz for people in wheelchairs for crying out loud!

[@terrymckay9776]

Ali Stroker is a girl who can't say NO!!! She's an incredible fix, for those of us she inspires. Not only can she sing, but boy the moves she makes on stage in her chair. Congratulations Ali... best wishes for all your future endeavours.

[@isabellagriffith5524]

Lol I love the references! I love Oklahoma so much! 🌱

[@AliciaNyblade]

As an actress and playwright who has been visually impaired since birth, this gives me hope. Artists with disabilities are terribly under-represented in the entertainment industry when it comes to performance opportunities and being able to share stories from outr own perspectives. Good to know that's slowly changing, and high time, too.

[@Zambiequinn2]

Thank you Ali for inspiring me to not give up my dream after I became disabled. I thought I was never going to be able to perform again. I just did my first show since my disability started. And I’ve never been happier.

[@sweetheartabbey4704]

Wasn’t she on glee and the glee project??? I knew she would be a star from the start

[@robertp181]

I discovered her via The Glee Project.

[@cobusjdatd2395]

I actually saw her in deaf west’s spring awakening and I kinda fell in love her she had so much energy I couldn’t help but focus on her

[@ez88uc]

CANNOT wait to see Ali in Oklahoma! I loved her so much in Spring Awakening.

[@dorygray7281]

Been following her since The Glee Project. What a wonderful human being.

[@quinnwright6757]

the nerve to have her sing keep holding on but not mention the glee project...

[@jakephillips1513]

Quinn Wright it’s not that deep chill lmao

[@tudormiller8898]

OMG!! Ali is amazing. An inspiration for everyone. Congratulations Ali, for your Tony Award. The first wheelchair user to win the award EVER!!!! ♿️♥️

[@DaxIsAName]

Spring awakening!!! My favorite!

[@ffestivelizzie]

I have spastic cerebral palsy, and I use a wheelchair whenever I’m out in public, and I am also 15 years old. I’m hoping to start acting myself, and be as successful as Ali. ❤️

[@annemariedippoliti1055]

what a talented and inspirational young woman!!

[@juliabailey96]

I saw her in the deaf west production of spring awakening and she was PHENOMENAL. I have her autograph on my playbook!

[@quelypogz]

i love her smile, her voice. :)

[@beepbeepeddie8010]

Ali Stroker: first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony!!

[@charliep123]

She seems like such an awesome person

[@rory7993]

AND NOW SHES WON A TONY!!!!

[@FridgeBirdddd]

I am in a wheelchair and my dream is to be on broadway. I thought it wasn’t even possible until I saw her ❤ she is such an inspiration

[@jimpanza1]

Ali I got learning DIsabilities and I use to do Youth theater and it was hard for me to remember my lines. I went to Landmark College in Putney VT which is a school for students with Learning Disabilities and we had theater there. It was amazing to see what theater did for those students. Along with the people in my local Youth Theater some of who also had other types of disabilities and living issues. I have seen some youth that at one point would not talk to any one and would stay in the corner and theater makes them open up and become friends with the entire cast. Theater is amazing and does amazing things not only for anyone but especially for people with any type of physical or learning disability.

[@thethirdversionofalex3398]

She is such an amazing woman! She is a role model for me even though I don’t have a disability! ❤️

[@JSandwich13]

As a visually impaired and hearing impaired person with mobility problems. It's lovely to see people with disabilities being represented

[@ruthr4712]

I have low vision. It’s great, but not enough. Theaters also need to be accessible. I don’t know about you, but I can’t go to a broadway show (Pandemic aside), because I’d need front row seating, and front row seating is $$$$. Or, are folks who would describe the action into a headset available on-demand?

[@stevefreedman470]

WOW!!!!! THAT WAS AWESOME!!! So proud of this young lady and what she has accomplished...THANK YOU for putting it all in perspective for me....YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!👍🏿😊♥️🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@williamshakespeare3108]

AMAIZING I'm literally crying such an inspiration really:( loved it

[@zorrononoa277]

So inspirational!

[@erikaerhardt8136]

she is everything

[@caseygreyson4178]

I bet the shows that wouldn’t even give her an audition are regretting their decision. They missed out on an amazing Tony winner!

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

So inspiring; shes just a girl who won't HEAR"No"!

[@billyshakes1643]

Icon. Enough said.

[@davidmorris6443]

I am very proud of you i am a singer i am Disabled as well...thank you very much and god bless you

[@michealtaylor1297]

Did anyone else notice during one number that the on stage performers (including Ms Stroker) were signing and singing.

[@rebeccagoodrich9545]

She is so super inspiring! Love this. What a great performer.

[@becasaurusbex8204]

She's honestly one of my favourite actresses ever. Her voice is honestly phenomonal

[@ashtonfox1514]

IM SO PROUD OF HER

[@marleee.2174]

That’s really interesting that they used sign language in a musical

[@bridgethealey7188]

Marlee Ebbert it’s deaf west theatre company in California. So they use sign language and deaf and hearing actors

[@AFBoi]

I was team Ali during the Glee project. She has an amazing voice, and she over came some fears. Especially when she had to go in the pool. Then seeing here are a bitch in Glee was awesome. So happy for her. YOU GO ALI!!!

[@rezashayesteh9718]

She’s a TONY WINNER

[@SirAbyss]

And 4 years later, she won a fucking Tony! Good for her.

[@imaginationlord]

Good on her for carrying on! Also good music choice for her singing bit

[@laurenwarner1014]

Can’t wait to show this to my middle schoolers! Amazing!

[@carloslamadrid3330]

You are an amazing performer and love the attitude. Keep it up!!!

[@absolutechaos2426]

"Like dying inside" *laughs the pain away* (lmao i just found this funny)

[@nataliemanriquez9380]

She was also in a couple Glee episodes!

[@homebirding1308]

She’s in season 2 of The Two Princes on Spotify!

[@justcalledkatie]

this just arrived in my recommendations

[@umopepisdn.]

It makes me so upset when I see roles in which the character is disabled, but most of the time they arent played by people who are actually disabled.

[@viviancovington7813]

Ali rocks! 😊

[@thejordancrawford]

SO INSPIRING!

[@caitlinwilliams197]

Fuck yeah, Ali! Also, did anyone else die when she started singing Paramore it was hat just me? 😂

[@asterismos5451]

TONY NOMINEE, ALI STROKER!

[@wubbalubbadubdub3762]

Winner* :)

[@rats2988]

She was born in my town!!!!!!!

[@cadiwatkins7978]

Queen 🤩

[@AlyssaSaldana1]

The glee project!

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Listen to her rendition of Take Me To Paris from Swados. Wow

[@sarahbenton7573]

She named her wheelchair Twilight Flake. ..... ..... Twilight. Flake.

[@earthbound11037]

Sarah Benton She named it Roxanne..?

[@justinclark2880]

inspiration

[@tb4522]

You know, this just proves cream rises to the top!

[@encouragementnotespodcast7616]

Ali is an inactive member of the Rollettes Los Angeles Dance team. I choose not to say former because once you are family you are always family ❤

[@musicalbootlegs9387]

This is amazing but the reason there hasn’t been any before and with more technical shows is because it can be a danger because of lifts and sets moving and if there is space onstage for the wheelchair but again this is Amazing that’s it’s happening

[@ElaineBarlow]

Congrats on your Tony!!!!!

[@brianwalsh4642]

Please tell me she's playing Nessarose in the movie version of Wicked

[@elizabethk2527]

A queen and a Tony Winner :):):)

[@kicking222]

I love for Ali Stroker singing Paramore.

[@alifhussaini]

SHE WON A FUCKING TONY

[@mg-vo1vy]

YES SLAY MY LIFE

[@lilyruth6254]

she went to my hs!

[@gracekingmarkle2064]

And now she’s a Tony winner

[@violetob3622]

Who the hell disliked this????

[@applebyjakoby]

She should play Nessaro-- oh. Nevermind.

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

TONY WINNING ACTRESS!!!!!!!!

[@clubsnatcher]

Tony is just a popularity contest people

[@orchishmamukherjee5250]

She needs to be Nessarose now! #AliforNessa2019

[@orchishmamukherjee5250]

@Gabriel yep, true

[@BannedFromTheaters]

Orchishma Mukherjee that part requires a good 5 minutes of solid standing and is really significant for the part so you can’t exactly disable-proof it. I don’t know how long Ali can walk without a wheelchair but doing a full body performance eight times a week seems like it would be really really rough on someone.

[@orchishmamukherjee5250]

@@BannedFromTheaters I get it, thanks

[@orchishmamukherjee5250]

@@BannedFromTheaters also I was originally referring to the upcoming movie

[@BannedFromTheaters]

@@orchishmamukherjee5250 For the movie I do hope they get a disabled actress. You have much more leeway on a set. And the actress could sit in between takes etc. :) (Also, I wrote that comment when nobody had replied yet - apologies for looking like a dick!)

[@schannstewart9385]

She resembles Elizabeth Moss

[@als_pals]

Paramore and Avril!!

[@leeanne1703]

I wish the movie industry would use real wheelchair user instead actors who act like they need a wheelchair. And even use someone with a real disability in a show and movie and not even have to say why they are the way they are just be like that and not even say anything about it.

[@coldgrandpa]

from the glee project to now... dam

[@kurasuta3715]

Here because of Sideways

[@jmk4227]

Sorry Madison Ferris.

[@kevinwhite8163]

Hate Broadway love her.

[@racheltfisher]

Kevin White What’s wrong with Broadway?

[@a.abarker8387]

she looks alot like elisabeth moss

[@jschaeffer3440]

I absolutely dont mean to sound rude what is wrong with her legs? I dont mean to be rude but I'm just curious

[@spoonierv1543]

musical theater nerd She was in a car accident when she was 2.

[@jschaeffer3440]

@@spoonierv1543 are they Paralyzed?

[@sindhulakshmi6776]

And thukiunam matume

[@Charlotte-uf2ti]

is it bad that i was the 666th like

[@robertp181]

Charlotte yes. 😂

[@Landstar7947]

Yeah try being 5.5 and over weight and the best singer in every place you go and getting the same response. Happens to me ALL THE TIME

[@sindhulakshmi6776]

Thuki matum enakulathu muscle dystrophy

[@sindhulakshmi6776]

Thuki

[@caro6724]

You can see her move her leg at 2:52...someone explain

[@eileenconway2966]

Draco she might only be partially paralyzed

[@pastelparas0l]

Doesn’t mean she can stand on it. Her hip muscles may work but anything below might not. Not really any of our business.

[@sopheverlasting]

Physically, it can probably still move, as it's not "unhealthy" but she can't control it. The nerves are broken.

[@ericachen2746]

It looks like it only just bounced on the cushion after being set down. She could have incomplete paralysis, which means that she retains some ability to move/feel. Many people with spinal cord injuries also have muscle spasms which cause involuntary movements, so that's always a possibility. Wheelchair users moving their legs/standing/walking doesn't always mean they don't need their chair. It's a huge spectrum, and frankly, a person's private medical condition is usually none of our business.

[@caro6724]

@@ericachen2746 i understand i was only asking because im not very educated in the subject but i wasnt sure what happened

[@decentgrocerybag4003]

Every portrayer of Nessarose have been actresses in wheelchairs. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, I know what they meant with this title. I’m just joking.

[@warrengore4563]

I say: "A beautiful talent. A beautiful voice. A beautiful person." Why should anything more be mentioned, at all? However, the designer for "Oklahoma" who failed to add a bit of "Period and Humor" by adding Wagon Wheels, missed the mark. No need to hide the obvious. But, then, again, no need to make it like a "spoked satin ribbon" on the lapel of humanity. My idea: Treat PEOPLE like, say, PEOPLE! "Women, Elderly, Disabled, Disfigured, Disenfranchised, Low Income, Addicted, Depressed, Persons with Crisis of Faith, Abused, Abusers with Guilt, Victims, Prisoners, People of Color, LGBTQ persons, DUI Offenders who DESTROYED the lives of SO, SO many families (Including THEIR OWN), School Shooting Victims, 9/11 Victims, Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, The Pulse, Las Vegas, And SO, MUCH MORE! STOP pointing out EVERY SINGLE DIFFERENCE we, as HUMANS, have. How about what EACH of us has in common as Human Beings? I (humbly) ask that instead of changing the color of you ribbons, you simply "CHANGE THE COLOR OF YOUR OWN LIVES". W. H. Gore