Ali Stroker Inspires On Broadway

Ali Stroker made history at the recent 73rd annual Tony Awards; The “Glee Project” alum took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her performance as Ado Annie in the critically acclaimed “Oklahoma!” revival. Stroker is the first actor in a wheelchair to ever win a Tony Award, or even be nominated for one. In an inspirational acceptance speech, Stroker said “This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation, who has a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena. You are.” Earlier in the broadcast, Stroker performed the song “I Cain’t Say No” from the production, which was also nominated for Best Revival of a Musical. Ali Stroker was injured in a car accident when she was just two years old, yet she never let her physical limitations limit her dreams. She made her Broadway debut in Deaf West’s revival of the musical “Spring Awakening” back in 2015. She spoke to Variety about the impact of her success: “I know exactly what it’s like to be looking for someone who looks like me,” she told Variety. ”[This] is for all these young people who deserve a role model.” Simply awesome, and about time.

John Young