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Amber Gray is an American actress and singer. She is known for originating the role of Hélène Bezukhova in the musical Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812[1] and the role of Persephone in the musical Hadestown, both off and on Broadway. For the latter 2019 role, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, additionally earning the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[2]
Amber Gray | |
|---|---|
| Education | Boston University (BFA} New York University (MFA} |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Partner | Galen Hamilton |
| Children | 2 |
Gray is a military brat and spent her early childhood across Europe and the United States.[3] She later settled in Wayland, Massachusetts, where she attended Wayland High School.[citation needed]
She attended Boston University where she received a BFA in acting and New York University where she received an MFA in acting.[4]
In 2007, she began her screen career by appearing in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, titled "Haystack", as a character named Raye.[5] She also worked as a photographer on Canada's Top Model in 2009 on the episode "Bright Lights: No Pity". In 2012, Gray first became involved with Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812. Gray portrayed Countess Hélène Bezukhova in the musical's performances at the Off-Off-Broadway Ars Nova Theater.[6] Gray continued with Great Comet when it moved to Kazino Meatpacking in 2013, Kazino Times Square in 2014, and when it opened on Broadway in late 2016. Gray was awarded a 2017 Theatre World Award for her performance as Hélène.[7]
In 2014, Gray reprised her leading role as Zoe in An Octoroon at Soho Repertory Theatre[8] An Octoroon utilized the plot of The Octoroon, an 1859 melodrama, but turned it into a contemporary new play that discusses America's slave history and both past and present racism. In an interview with The New York Times , Gray spoke of the part's difficulty due to many intense racial scenes/[3] Gray remained with the production when it went on to play at Theatre for a New Audience in 2015.[citation needed]
In 2016, Gray portrayed Persephone in New York Theatre Workshop's production of the new musical Hadestown, based on Anaïs Mitchell's album of the same name and the tragic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.[2] Gray was again directed by Rachel Chavkin, whom she collaborated with during Great Comet.[9] Gray was praised by critics, who were impressed by her "vocal dexterity,"[10] "charisma," and "powerhouse voice".[11] She reprised this role in the Edmonton Citadel Theatre, London National Theatre, and Broadway productions. For the Broadway production, she received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[citation needed]
In 2021, Gray appeared in the Amazon limited series The Underground Railroad as Gloria Valentine.[12][13]
Gray plays the role of Ajax on the 2024 concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, Warriors.[14]
Gray's partner is Galen Hamilton, whom she began dating in 2011.[15] They have two children.[16]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Roger, the Chicken | Dr. Rose | |
| 2013 | The Weekend | Maggie | |
| 2017 | Walden: Life in the Woods | Melinda | |
| 2021 | Where There's Smoke | Jenifer | Short film |
| 2022 | Master | Liv Beckman | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Raye | Episode: "Haystack" |
| 2018 | Escape at Dannemora | Annie | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Ms. Guidance | Bethany Bump | 6 episodes |
| 2021 | Bull | Dr. Kinsey | Episode: "To Save a Life" |
| 2021 | The Underground Railroad | Gloria Valentine | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | The Gilded Age | Bea Sturt | Episode: "Close Enough to Touch" |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Theatre World Award | Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Won | [20] |
| Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Hadestown | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Sterling Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role | Won | [21] | |
| 2019 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated | [22] | |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Won | [23] | ||
| Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Nominated | [24] | ||
| 2020 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Won | [25] |
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