Isabelle McCalla

Isabelle McCalla, born on June 15, 1993, in Queens, New York, developed her passion for performing arts from a young age, leading her to study dance at Coupé Theater Studio. She further honed her craft at the University of Michigan, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. McCalla’s career began to take shape with regional theater roles, demonstrating her versatility in productions such as “Aladdin” at The Muny in 2012 and “West Side Story” in 2013, where she played Rosalia. Her early experiences laid the groundwork for her eventual transition to national recognition.

McCalla made her significant Broadway debut in January 2018 as Jasmine in Disney’s “Aladdin,” a role she had previously originated during its first national tour from 2017 to 2018. This pivotal role established her presence on the national stage. Later in 2018, she originated the role of Alyssa Greene in “The Prom” on Broadway, following her participation as an ensemble member in its Atlanta premiere in 2016. Her performance in “The Prom” garnered national attention when a kiss with co-star Caitlin Kinnunen during the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marked the first LGBTQ+ kiss in the parade’s history. Her career trajectory continued with appearances in the “Disney Princess — The Concert” tour, performing beloved songs across the US.

In September 2023, McCalla took over the role of Maizy in the Tony Award-nominated musical “Shucked” at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway. She then starred as Marlena in the Broadway musical adaptation of “Water for Elephants” in 2024, a role she initially performed at the Alliance Theatre in 2023. Her talent has also extended to television, with credits including “Bull” (CBS) in 2017 and “Broadway Profiles with Tamsen Fadal” (PIX11) in 2019, as well as the web series “Gallery View” in 2020. Looking ahead, McCalla is set to portray Elinor in the musical “Regency Girls,” scheduled to premiere in February 2025.